Ahead of the new season this weekend, the Ulster Rugby Foundation hosted a special event at Stormont Parliament Buildings to showcase the charity’s work and the impact it is set to make on the local community.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly were among the special guests in attendance. David Honeyford, MLA, hosted the event.
The event was compèred by former Ulster and Ireland player, Darren Cave, who chatted to a panel made up of local people, of all ages and abilities, whose lives have been improved through rugby.
With a focus for the Foundation on developing the Women and Girls’ game, guests heard from retired Ulster Rugby Senior Women’s player Sorcha MacLaimhin, who has recently set up a team called ‘Yer Ma 7s’, specifically aimed at engaging mums in the game. Sorcha also spoke about her own journey from playing the club game to pulling on the Ulster jersey.
Ulster and Ireland player India Daley, who is an ambassador for the Ulster Rugby Foundation, shared the life-changing impact that rugby has had on her own life – including highlights such as lifting the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup with Enniskillen Royal Grammar and recent games at Kingspan Stadium.
Father and son Graham and Lewis Rennie attended the event to recognise how rugby helped the family through the toughest of times when their young son, Callum, passed away. Lewis, a keen Larne RFC player, shared his memories of recently visiting the home of Ulster Rugby to meet the professional squad, and share the story of his own fundraising efforts. Their story highlighted the impact of the Youth game, which is another priority area for the Ulster Rugby Foundation.
Malone Tornadoes captain Jacob Sullivan shared details with guests about his team’s upcoming tour to the 2025 IMART World Cup in Spain. The player encouraged people of all abilities to get involved in rugby, with the Disability game as the third area of focus for Ulster Rugby’s charitable arm.
Completing the line-up was current Ulster Senior Men’s player, James Hume, who took a break from rehab to share his story from schools’ rugby through to playing at the highest level of the game in support of the Foundation.
“We were delighted with such a great turnout to celebrate the Ulster Rugby Foundation, and I would like to say a special thank-you to the First Minister and Deputy First Minster for showing their support for our charity,” said Foundation Head David Johnston.
“The backing from Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons, David Honeyford MLA, and Stephen Dunne MLA is also greatly appreciated.”
“Guests at the event were able to hear directly from people of all ages and abilities from across the province who have directly benefitted from being involved in rugby to give a sense of what can be achieved by supporting the Foundation.”
“I am confident, in the season ahead, that we will continue to build on what can be achieved through the Women and Girls’, Youth, and Disability game, and have a lasting impact on lives through funds raised and invested directly back into the amateur game.”
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