Dalriada Prep convert practice into success at Ravenhill

The festival that took place at Ravenhill between Tuesday 17th May and Friday 20th May saw 40 schools take to the famous rugby field to compete in a series of round robin matches. Scores were not kept, so while there wasn’t an outright winner, the festival did much to develop team skills and to encourage a genuine love for the game.

Commenting on this year’s festival, Brian O’Shaughnessey, Community Rugby Officer at the IRFU Ulster Branch said, “Mini Rugby is a great way for children to get involved and enjoy rugby, and the annual primary schools’ mini rugby festival is one that goes straight into the schools sporting calendars. Its format encourages participation and is viewed as a vehicle to spark interest in the game and help to develop players, so, they might have the opportunity to emulate heroes such as Ulster stars Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Nigel Brady. Our relationship with Northgate continues to be a very successful one, and I look forward to working with them for another year of Mini Rugby.”

Eleanor Lee, Head of Marketing and Communications, Northgate Managed Services added, “We are delighted to be working with Ulster Rugby and to be supporting the Mini Rugby festival for a sixth year. It is a fantastic event and one that is enjoyed by all those that take part.

“Each year the talent on show surpasses that of the previous year, and I have no doubt that it won’t be too long before we witness a player from this event representing Ulster and even Ireland.”