Rugby Review 2015/16

- Link picture of head picture for Rugby Review

We have 3 strong senior sides at Ballyclare High School. This past season our 3rd XV shared the plate, with Ballyclare Secondary 1st XV, which was a fitting occasion for the town of Ballyclare. The 2nd XV reached the final of the 2nd XV cup and the 1st XV had a hard season battling injuries and didn't get the best performance that they were capable of in the schools cup. But all a great experience if they learn and push on next year.

It was a very busy year of rugby at senior level, a 44 player tour to New Zealand and Australia, the 2nd XV and 3rd XV reaching finals but also all the extras throughout the season that provide opportunities for growth to the boys. Things like the preseason blitz, bringing Belvedere College (Leinster schools cup winners 2015/16) to Ballyclare High along with Sullivan and Down High for a blitz has a big event to organise but all worthwhile and productive. Hosting Tauranga Boys from NZ (former school of Joe Schmidt, as VP) in late September seems so long ago but a great occasion for the town to experience the Haka but also keeping a rugby tradition of hosting/billeting this kiwi boys in our homes. Over Halloween a rugby day was created to cover a lot of area to educate and bond the senior players, over the course of the day we had nutrition talks, sport psychologist work shop, rugby practice also probably the most feared session of the day was conditioning with the marines. Another great event for the rugby club was competing against Ulster U18 over the Christmas Holidays and the girls having the Ravenhill experience.

Senior squad in a team meeting whilst on camp in Dublin and Ulster Schools Sevens Squad 2015/16

Medallion Rugby

Reached the ¼ final of the Medallion shield and final of the Medallion Ulster Schools Sevens last season, they also enjoyed a training camp in Lisbon over Halloween. The Medallion Rugby train 2 pitch sessions and a rugby gym program is available for them over lunch times in the Knox gym.

Junior Rugby

Have two pitch sessions a week and a Saturday game and they are part of the rugby faculty that ensures player development as they focus of their training. We focus on the 5 key areas of rugby; Catch/Pass, Tackle, Ruck, Evasion and Link. Junior Rugby also have additional training sessions in the morning once a week

Year 8 rugby having fun at the BT Speed test pass and early training sessions of becoming safe to play rugby with the Director of Rugby

Our Year 8 and 10 rugby sides won both NEBSSA competitions this season

Year 10 Rugby captain with the NEBSSA Trophy