Ards RFC
Ards RFC (Ards Rugby Football Club) is a rugby club based in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in the Ulster Qualifying League. It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club currently fields three adult teams. Three youth teams also play at under-18, under-16 and under-14 levels. There is also a very successful Mini rugby section of the club. The club works in close collaboration with local schools such as Regent House Grammar School who have provided much of the playing talent of which can be seen at the club to date. Players such as Johnny Harris, Stewart Paul and Davy Thompson all originate from the school.
| Full name | Ards Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | IRFU Ulster | |
| Founded | 1928 | |
| Ground(s) | Hamilton Park, Newtownards | |
| President | Wesley Campbell | |
| Director of Rugby | Stephen Nutt | |
| Coach(es) | John West | |
| Captain(s) | Paul Cox | |
| ||
Foundation
On 11 April 1928, Ards Rugby Football Club was formed at meeting in Newtownards Academy pavilion. The first game was played on 13 October 1928. Ards RFC played most of their early years in the Ulster junior leagues
Senior status
In the 1961-62 season Ards won the Towns Cup for the first time captained by Robert Haslett. In 1977-1978 season Ards achieved Senior status when they were elected to the Ulster Senior League. After a downturn in fortunes in the 1990s they spent a second period in the Junior leagues. However, in 2002-2003 season Ards 1st XV won through the AIB All Ireland Qualifying round robin and were promoted for a second time, to All-Ireland League. They lost their senior status in 2015, when they were relegated out of the All-Ireland League.
Honours
- 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
- 1976-77
Notable former players
Internationals
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Source:[1]
References
- "The Ards Internationals". www.ardsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2019.