Seniors
Main Picture: Rory Eaves gets the ball away.
The Conditioning games on Saturday went extremely well with all the players getting a good run out as they tried to impress the coach and stake a claim for all the vacant berths in the various teams.
To help further boost their chances, both the 1st and 2nd XVs will be taking on newly promoted Dromore in a couple of friendlies at Hamilton Park on Saturday 28th August. The 2nds game will kick-off at 1pm while the 1st XV have a 2.30pm start time.
This will be the last opportunity for all the players to show what they’ve got before the start of the season proper when Ards 1st XV take on Ballymena in their First Trust Senior League opener at Hamilton Park, the following week. The 2nds will also host Ballymena on the same day and they have a 1pm kick-off.
Ards 3rd XV have another tough opener when they travel down the A1 to Rifle Park to face rival County Down men at Banbridge.
The 4th XV will be playing Quins away on the 4th Sept.
Ladies
Ards Ladies section are still recruiting new players for both their Tag and Full-contact sides.
For more information about joining Ards Ladies section please contact Ross Reid on 07801 848762, everyone welcome.
Youth
Youth pre-season training for the U15s and 17s is now up and running with a good number of new and old faces coming down to training on Tuesday evenings.
Come along and sign up to help get Ards Youth back into the Premier Division of Youth rugby. Leagues, Cups and All Ireland Competitions, are up for grabs, as well as end of season tours.
To qualify for the various Youth teams, a player must be under 13, 15 or 17 etc on 1st January 2010.
There are two Youth Blitz tournaments for the U15s and 17s on Saturday 4th September, but to be eligible to enter, teams must have at least 12 players in their side. The teams will then be entered into their respective leagues as the Youth season gets underway.
Ring Dayle Jones, the Youth Co-ordinator, on 07754 077827 for more details, or just turn up on the night with your boots.
The Youth will continue to train on Tuesday evenings at the Club from 6.45pm. Spread the word, all abilities welcome regardless of experience.
The U13s will initially train on Sundays from September 5th and more details on this will be made known in the near future.
Mini
The Mini section will be returning to action on Sunday 5th September and more details on this will be made known in due course. In the meantime, summer touch rugby continues at the Club on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm, for those who want to keep in shape.
For more information about playing Mini rugby at Ards, please ring Ian Caughey on 07917 646980 for more information, everyone welcome.
Subscriptions 2010/11
Subs are now due and can be paid through the team Captains, Youth and Mini Co-ordinators, directly into the Club via the Club Steward or Club Treasurer, by standing order, direct debit or in a one off payment. Cheques should be made payable to Ards RFC.
Subs should be paid, or by arrangement, on or before the 1st October 2010, so please support the Club and pay your subs on time.
For more information, please contact Steven Eachus.
Good News Stories
Andrew Crozier and Ewan Adair have both become new dads.
Andrew and Linda are the proud parents of a baby girl called Faith. Big ‘Crow’ is rightly chuffed and can’t wait to get her down to the club and show her off and watch big daddy play.
Not to be out done, Ewan and Charlene have become the proud parents of a baby boy called James. Ewan is also beaming with pride and is just itching to show James, ‘who’s the daddy’ when it comes to the sprints.
Mothers and babies are all doing well, and everyone at the club would like to pass on their hearty congratulations to all concerned.
Fixtures
Ards 1st XV v Dromore (Friendly)
Ards 2nd XV v Dromore (Friendly) Kick-off 1pm
All Saturday fixtures have a 2.30pm Kick-off unless otherwise stated.
Photographs Courtesy Of Roy Lawton Ards RFC
