Ards RFC (Ards Rugby Football Club) is a rugby club based in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in the Ulster Rugby Championship Division 2. It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club currently fields three adult teams and a women's team, North Down Women, who are a combination of players from Ards, Bangor and Donaghadee. Three youth teams also play at under-18, under-16 and under-14 levels. There is also a rapidly developing girls' junior section and a very successful mini rugby section in the club. The club works in close collaboration with local schools such as Regent House Grammar School, Movilla High School and Strangford College who provide much of the playing talent at the club.
On 11 April 1928, Ards Rugby Football Club was formed at a meeting in Newtownards Academy pavilion.[citation needed] The first competitive game was played on 13 October 1928. Ards RFC played most of their early years in the Ulster Junior Leagues.
Senior Statusedit
In the 1961-62 season Ards won the Towns Cup for the first time captained by Bobby Haslett. In 1977-1978 season Ards achieved senior status when they gained promotion to the Ulster Senior League by defeating Ballymena 2nd XV 12-0 in an Ulster League Section 2 playoff at Shane Park, Instonians. After a downturn in fortunes in the 1990s Ards were relegated from senior rugby in season 2000-2001 to Qualifying League Section 1. However, in the 2002-2003 season Ards won the AIB All Ireland Qualifying Round Robin playoff and were promoted for a second time to the All-Ireland League. In 2015 Ards were relegated from the All-Ireland League and now play in the Ulster Rugby Championship Division 2.
^"The Ards Internationals". www.ardsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
External linksedit
Ards RFC website
January 01, 1970
ards, ards, rugby, football, club, rugby, club, based, newtownards, county, down, northern, ireland, playing, ulster, rugby, championship, division, affiliated, ulster, branch, irish, rugby, football, union, club, currently, fields, three, adult, teams, women,. Ards RFC Ards Rugby Football Club is a rugby club based in Newtownards County Down Northern Ireland playing in the Ulster Rugby Championship Division 2 It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union The club currently fields three adult teams and a women s team North Down Women who are a combination of players from Ards Bangor and Donaghadee Three youth teams also play at under 18 under 16 and under 14 levels There is also a rapidly developing girls junior section and a very successful mini rugby section in the club The club works in close collaboration with local schools such as Regent House Grammar School Movilla High School and Strangford College who provide much of the playing talent at the club Ards RFCFull nameArds Rugby Football ClubUnionIRFUUlsterNickname s Black KnightsFounded1928Ground s Hamilton Park NewtownardsPresidentStephen NuttDirector of RugbyStephen NuttCoach es Palmer Eccles and David ThompsonCaptain s Matthew KaneTeam kit Contents 1 Foundation 2 Senior Status 3 Honours 4 Notable Former Players 4 1 Internationals 5 https www pitchero com clubs ards a history 8456 html page 5 6 External linksFoundation editOn 11 April 1928 Ards Rugby Football Club was formed at a meeting in Newtownards Academy pavilion citation needed The first competitive game was played on 13 October 1928 Ards RFC played most of their early years in the Ulster Junior Leagues Senior Status editIn the 1961 62 season Ards won the Towns Cup for the first time captained by Bobby Haslett In 1977 1978 season Ards achieved senior status when they gained promotion to the Ulster Senior League by defeating Ballymena 2nd XV 12 0 in an Ulster League Section 2 playoff at Shane Park Instonians After a downturn in fortunes in the 1990s Ards were relegated from senior rugby in season 2000 2001 to Qualifying League Section 1 However in the 2002 2003 season Ards won the AIB All Ireland Qualifying Round Robin playoff and were promoted for a second time to the All Ireland League In 2015 Ards were relegated from the All Ireland League and now play in the Ulster Rugby Championship Division 2 Honours editBoston Floodlit Cup Bangor 1 1976 77 Ulster Senior Cup 2 1984 85 1986 87 Ulster Senior League 1 1983 84 Ulster Towns Cup 2 1961 62 2002 03 Ulster Junior Cup 1 1976 77Notable Former Players editInternationals edit nbsp British and Irish Lions Nigel Carr Phillip Matthews Paddy Mayne nbsp Ireland Nigel Carr Kenny Hooks Harry Millar Phillip Matthews Paddy Mayne nbsp New Zealand Scott Robertson Source 1 https www pitchero com clubs ards a history 8456 html page 5 edit The Ards Internationals www ardsrugby co uk Retrieved 15 February 2019 External links editArds RFC website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ards RFC amp oldid 1223210857, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
