Image Credit BBC NI.
Won by Ballynahinch RFC & contested superbly by Malone RFC this years First Trust SNR Cup final was a fantastic evening fit for all the family. The winners Ballynahinch RFC mens I XV now progress to the All Ireland Bateman Cup Semi Finals where they will play some of the finest club teams from their fellow provinces of Irish Rugby. The feedback is one in which the quality of the rugby and also the quality of the Kingspan Venue and staff, stewards, and the media coverage from BBC News, UTV, Ulster Rugby, Newsletter etc was fitting for the players, coaches and staff members from both Ballynahinch RFC & Malone RFC not to mention a large but nevertheless close gathering of supporters, on this instance certainly 200+ enjoyed a fantastic experience.
As we are sending this report to 37,000 social media connections including Google+, FB, TW, Pinterest and Linked in who follow clubs and schools rugby all over the world, the role model that these clubs and supporters represent as part of Irish Rugby is fitting to the tradition of the game. Staying mentally healthy in this competitive environment is a hallmark of professionalism which we are proud to report was the case last night. Player welfare was to the fore and the athletes played an excellent game of smart rugby, clinical and precise rugby.
Now as rugby players the most important thing that we are getting as feedback from reporters and supporters is the rugby that is being played and the numbers of supporters following teams. The numbers of supporters attending grassroots rugby is growing, the community is coming to the local rugby club and the athletes are playing fine rugby based on skills, and the solid implementation of the skills, set pieces, offloads, rucks, scrums, the athletes have absorbed and continue to absorb an enormous amount of information based on nutrition, psychology, conditioning, and the constant practice of the skill set to play with development in mind.
Mention was also made of the true rugby supporters and how they chatted after the game regardless of which club they were from. Staying mentally healthy, welcoming and friendly in this very competitive environment is worthy of the game to which Ulster & Irish rugby are role models to so many clubs and teams around the world.
Best Regards to both teams
Garry Watters.
