Everyone really was a winner at the schools rugby blitz when over 300 Primary seven pupils from 24 schools across Ards and North Down took part in a TAG rugby ‘blitz’ aimed at encouraging participation from both female and male competitors at Londonderry Park, Newtownards last Monday (29 February 2016).
The blitz event, which was organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council with support from Ulster Rugby community representatives and Sport Northern Ireland Active Communities coaches, saw the pupils take part in a series of friendly matches throughout the day. Each child that took part received a medal and a certificate from the Council.
Each team of eight players was required to have a minimum of two female players in order to boost participation amongst this group. Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, explained:
“Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to encouraging participation in sport.xa0 With still significantly fewer females than males playing sport, the Council delivers a range of programmes geared at opening up participation for this group, such as last week’s TAG rugby event and its girls football league.xa0 It was great to see so many young women participating in the rugby matches, and even giving some of the lads a ‘run for their money’ out on the pitch!”
Up and coming sports star, Ulster Rugby Academy member, Jake Byrne, attended the event.xa0 He took time to share his passion for the sport with the children and encouraged them to keep active.
The following schools took part in the TAG rugby event:
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Abbey Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Andrews Memorial Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Ballyvester Primary School, Donaghadee
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Ballywalter Primary School, Ballywalter
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Bloomfield Primary School, Bangor
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Carrickmannon Primary School, Comber
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Carrowdore Primary School, Carrowdore
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Castle Gardens Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Donaghadee Primary School, Donaghadee
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Glencraig Intergrated Primary School, Bangor
*xa0 xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Greyabbey Primary School, Greyabbey
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Holywood Primary School, Bangor
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Killinchy Primary School, Killinchy
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Kircubbin Integrated Primary School, Kircubbin
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Londonderry Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Millisle Primary School, Millisle
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Newtownards Model Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Portaferry Integrated Primary School, Portaferry
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Regent House Preparatory Department, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 St Finian’s Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 St Marys Primary School ,Comber
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 St Patricks Primary School, Ballygalget
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 Victoria Primary School, Newtownards
*xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 West Winds Primary School, Newtownards
