Seniors
Excellent commitment at training at the senior end of the Club is helping to boost morale and encourage fierce competition for all positions, as the new season draws ever nearer.
In the forwards, the back row and number 2 berths in particular, are showing signs of producing an interesting exchange at the Probable’s v Possible’s conditioning games in a couple of weeks time. While the backs have a number of new faces looking to make their mark also. Looks to be a mouth watering outing, on Saturday 21st August.
Seniors training continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.45pm and also on Saturdays from 10.30am.
The Senior player’s team bonding weekend involved a trip to the Mourne Mountains last Saturday.
Three teams pitched their tents at the Meelmore Lodge site before embarking on a team challenge which involved scaling at least three peaks as well as taking the odd dip in the lakes and rivers in the valleys down below.
Teams were awarded points when they could prove, by photograph, that they had completed the set tasks.
The event was challenging, but above all it was enjoyable.
Brief itinerary included:-
08:45 Depart Hamilton Park in cars
10:00 Arrive Meelmore Lodge and pitch tents
10:30 Briefing
11:00 Planning
11:30 Challenge begins
19:30 Barbeque.
Everybody managed to make it back safely to base camp, though there were one or two weary worriers who were quite happy to curl up in their sleeping bags like overgrown hamsters and catch a few zzz’s before the BBQ and night time festivities got underway.
Ladies
Ards Ladies section had a number of new faces at their latest training session on Wednesday evening, and this is very encouraging. Ards hope to be able to turn out a full contact side and a Tag rugby side this season, so come on girls, what’s keeping you.
Ards Ladies train on Wednesday evenings from 6.45pm, everyone welcome.
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 kicked off on Tuesday night with a very encouraging turnout for the first session..
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.
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 and more details on this will be made known in the near future.
Mini
The Mini section will be returning to action in early 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.
Clubhouse and Grounds
Thanks to a small, but dedicated army of volunteers led by Club President, Reggie Haddock, the clubhouse and grounds are looking in pristine condition.
This micro military operation conducted during the closed season, has mammoth implications for getting Hamilton Park fully operational in time for the new rugby season, which is just around the corner.
