Focus On: Tag In Ulster

This week our ‘Focus On’ series of articles looks to the north and examines Tag Rugby’s soaring popularity in the province of Ulster….

Ulster’s Tag Rugby playerbase grows and grows each year. As soon as one season ends, there will be a flurry of activity as captains and players alike already get started on getting their teams together for the next campaign.

At a rugby club like City of Derry and after only one season of running a tag league, the enthusiasm knows no bounds.

2008 sees an expansion of City of Derry RFC’s leagues with the inclusion of Budweiser as overall sponsor for the IRFU’s official Tag Rugby programme.

Only a matter of minutes away from the city centre, this venue where all the summer fun eminates is literally at the doorstep of its clubhouse.

Moving westwards, we head to Ballymena where Ballymena RFC run Tag for the first time. Another fantastic venue, sporting the best in club facilities and pitches, this club will be an excellent hub of summer Tag fun providing for the substantial rugby-mad population in the area.

Dates for the start of the season are to be confirmed this week while registrations are proving to be very lively indeed.

Newforge Country Club in Belfast enters its second season and will run Budweiser Tag on two nights of the week, Wednesday and Thursday.

Demand was so great for this venue that places in all grades were sold out by the beginning of February.

That’s the equivalent of two and half ‘Blitzes’ each week passing through the gates of Newforge CC. No wonder this venue is full! 

The 2008 Tag Rugby season in Ulster that nears us promises to be one to remember with not only the three exemplary venues but with the addition of the Ulster Provincial Tag Rugby Festival.

Already teams are planning ahead and booking their places to play in this festival where all grades shall compete at the wonderful club of Bangor RFC on Saturday, June 21.

Music, food drink and entertainment will provide a truly great day out for not only those participating but all the family.

If you wish to register your team for the Ulster Provincials, City of Derry RFC or Ballymena RFC, ensure your place is safe by going to the Team Registration page (here) and processing your details right away.

All teams entering go into the draw where they can win the chance to play Tag against Munster and Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan’s Select 7 in a game refereed by Rugby World Cup final referee Alain Rolland. For more details see here.

For more information on any aspect of Budweiser Tag, please call us at IRFU offices at 01-6473800 or else send an email to tag@irishrugby.ie.