The Ballymena Bears travelled to Cookstown’s Mid Ulster Sports Arena on 29th June for their last session of the 12/13 season.
The Bears were invited to represent the sport of rugby at the annual family fun day along with representatives from across the county in a number of other sports including soccer, tennis and gaelic football.
The highlight though was to meet up with fellow special needs tag rugby team the Dungannon Sharks. The two teams merged in to one for the warm up and skills practices which was great fun especially playing the octopus game. The group then broke into two teams and a match began on a pitch marked out next to some of the stands being run by MUSA staff. Fast flowing passing and running, some super tagging and try scoring all were on display and the group soon attracted a crowd on the side lines. At half time the score was bibs 3 and shirts 3 with everyone raring to go for the second half. A short time later the final whistle went and the score was 5 all, just as it should be, as both teams were as brilliant as each other.
A fantastic way to end the first full season for the Bears, one that has seen numbers double and the group experience some super highlights and memories along the way; a night at Ravenhill to meet some of the Ulster players, a visit to Donaghadee Sharkies, the Newforge Taggers visit to Eaton Park and playing at half time on the pitch at Ravenhill during an Ulster game.
Next season starts again at 10am on Sunday 1st September 13 with new players and helpers most welcome to join us. See the Ballymena RFC web site or Ballymena Bears facebook for more information.
