Because of the ongoing Arctic weather conditions which continue to sweep across the province, all rugby in Ulster was postponed last weekend which means yet more fixtures have to be rescheduled for everyone.
Once the weather improves, mid-week games under lights will become the norm as clubs try to get their backlog cleared before the IRFU begins to rule on those games not yet played, when a win or lose will be awarded to one or other team to determine the overall rankings in the leagues.
With this December now being forecast as the coldest for over 100 years, along with the most snow now seen blanketing the country in over a generation, with more to come, the prospect of getting any games played in the near future, looks bleak.
But we live in hope and look forward to the next round of global warming warnings when all the boffins scurry away back to their labs and come up with another threat to the existence of mankind.
News Worthy Items
A gentle reminder to all team managers, coaches, sections and members of Ards Rugby to please keep sending in news worthy items for publication.
Local media outlets are only too pleased to receive and publish our news worthy items, but if they don’t receive it, they can’t publish it so please keep them coming.
Training:
The Seniors trained indoors at the Eddie Irvine Sports Centre in Bangor on Saturday, to help keep their match fitness levels up for the hopeful resumption of their AIL program against Rainey Old Boys, on the 8th January at Hamilton Park.
Finding suitable indoor training facilities at times like this is no easy task but the Senior Management will endeavor to source such venues and advise all players accordingly.
Calendar Boy
Ards ‘hunk’ Ashley Peden, bared all in the name of charity (or so he says) and is appearing in a new 2011 calendar.
Ashley posed in the ‘buff’ along with his Killinchy Young Farmer buddies, in an all male (and a couple of sheep) calendar, to help raise funds for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.
This is a very noble and worthy cause and calendars priced at the princely sum of £10, are already flying off the shelves like hot cakes.
To get your ‘limited edition’ calendar, please contact Donna Garrett on 07710 852056.
Christmas Opening Hours
The clubs opening hours over the festive period, are as follows:
Christmas Eve – CLOSED. Christmas Day, 12 – 3pm.
Normal opening hours thereafter.
New Years Day Exiles game, opening hours to be confirmed. (KO 2.30pm)
Social
The next event in the social calendar is a table quiz on Friday 7th January starting at 8pm.
Exiles
An invitation is extended to ALL EXILES who have returned home for the Festive period and to all players past or present to participate in the annual EXILES game aka Nutt’s Crackers v Pudsey’s All Stars.
Kick off is at 2.30pm on New Year’s Day……….all you have to do is bring your shorts, socks and boots……shirts will be provided.
Enjoy half time refreshments and a post match bowl of stew and some craic!!!!
Teams will play for the Michael Taylor Cup 2010 (which was unable to be played earlier in season) and a ballot will be held in aid of The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust.
Mini
The Minis are now enjoying a well earned break but will return to training on Saturday 2nd January at 2pm. Their first opponents in the New Year will be away to Holywood on Saturday 8th January with a 2pm start time.
Congratulations
Former Ards player Michael Lawton was named Man of The Match, at a snowbound Ravenhill on Thursday night (16th) at the First Trust Senior Cup Final.
Congratulations to Michael who contributed 15 points to his Dungannon sides 25 points to nil victory over City of Derry, with a try, 2 conversions and 2 penalties, in some horrendous conditions.
See match report, photos, video highlights and post match interviews on the Intouch Rugby website.
Death Of Former Ards Captain
The President Reggie Haddock and members of Ards RFC were saddened to learn of the death of former Ards Captain, John James ‘Jim’ McFerran.
Jim passed away on Monday 13th December after a long and courageous battle against cancer.
He Captained Ards 1st XV back in the season 1971/72 and played alongside Reggie Haddock, Billy Dickson and Wes Campbell to name but a few. He was also a former pupil of Regent House School.
On behalf of everyone associated with Ards RFC, past and present, the President Reggie Haddock, would like to convey his sincere condolences to Jim’s entire family circle
Tag Rugby
Bookings for the next set of schools Tag Rugby sessions, are beginning to fill up nicely with Londonderry Primary, Comber Primary, St Patrick’s Primary, Killinchy Primary and Alexander Dickson Primary all set to avail of this fun sport early in the New year. Ards Arena is also introducing Tag Rugby into their activities on Monday and Thursday evenings in January 2011.
Tag Rugby (none contact) is for both boys and girls and can be played both indoors and out. Anyone who would like this great activity delivered to their school or clubs should contact Emma Hingston, the Sports Development Officer at Ards Borough Council on 02891 824000 or e-mail emma.hingston@ards-council.gov.uk to book their place.
Seasons Greetings
A happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all our sponsors, members, supporters and friends.
Many thanks and kind regards
