RUGBY clubs across Ireland have until Friday 31st July to enter Ulster Bank RugbyForce – an initiative which provides rugby clubs with the opportunity to win support packages to renovate their club and upgrade their facilities. The fifth year of the initiative will see over €30,000 being awarded to rugby clubs across the island of Ireland. All rugby clubs are invited to enter the initiative via www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankrugbyforce.
One rugby club will be selected to receive the top prize of €10,000, 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. 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 Gort RFC in Galway, Portarlington RFC in Laois, Skibbereen RFC in Cork, and Armagh RFC 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 on www.irishrugby.ie/ulsterbankrugbyforce – the closing date for registrations 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).
For further information on the Ulster Bank League Awards and to find out more about Ulster Bank RugbyForce, visit www.facebook.com/ulsterbankrugby.
