Write a commentRugby clubs across the island of Ireland are once again in with a chance of winning a monetary prize for their club through Ulster Bank RugbyForce and local Newry Clubs are being asked to enter.
Returning for a fifth year, Ulster Bank RugbyForce is an initiative which provides rugby clubs with the opportunity to win support packages to renovate their club and upgrade their facilities.
The initiative for this season is now open for entries and all rugby clubs are encouraged to submit their application via www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankrugbyforce before Friday 31st July 2015.
One rugby club will be selected to receive the top prize of £10,000 (if based in Northern Ireland) as well as a very special training session with an IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) coach and two Irish rugby stars. There will also be four additional rugby clubs selected, one from each province and they will each receive €5,000 (£5000 if the winner is based in Northern Ireland). All winners will receive a signed Irish rugby jersey as well. The clubs are chosen by a panel of judges, which includes representatives from both the IRFU and Ulster Bank and are selected based on their application form which highlights how the money will be spent as well as the role of the club amongst the local community.
Over the past four years the initiative has provided over €130,000 in funding to over 170 rugby clubs across the island of Ireland. Last year 135 clubs entered with An Ghaeltacht Rugbaí in Galway taking home the overall prize and City of Armagh RFC, Gort RFC in Galway, Portarlington RFC in Laois and Skibbereen RFC in Cork named as the provincial winners.
Speaking about the initiative, Ulster Bank rugby ambassador, Alan Quinlan, said: “We are delighted to be entering the fifth year of Ulster Bank RugbyForce. Over the past four years we have seen hundreds of clubs apply for funding and support to help improve their facilities, demonstrating the need for initiatives such as this. Ulster Bank are proud sponsors of club rugby in Ireland and Ulster Bank RugbyForce plays a fundamental role in this as they continue to support the growth and development of the club game in Ireland.”
Ulster Bank RugbyForce encourages rugby supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community and rugby club by volunteering to undertake renovations to clubhouses and grounds. After the winning clubs are announced each club will carry out improvements to their club during a planned Ulster Bank RugbyForce Day in September – designed to bring communities together to support their club.
Rugby clubs can enter Ulster Bank RugbyForce via www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankrugbyforce and the closing date for registrations is Friday, 31st July 2015. Terms and conditions apply. To be eligible and be in with a chance of winning one of the support packages your club must be affiliated with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). All you have to do to enter, is register your club before the closing date, Friday 31st July 2015 and hold a RugbyForce event on Saturday 12th September 2015.
For further information on the Ulster Bank League Awards and to find out more about Ulster Bank RugbyForce, visit www.facebook.com/ulsterbankrugby
