Belfast Harlequins Ladies Rugby
Encyclopedia
In 2008 Belfast Harlequins
RFC opened its doors to developing a ladies team within the rugby
section. They approached ex-ulster ladies coach Nathan Moore in 2008 to coach the squad and had an open day in May 2008 which attracted over 20 adult ladies.
In the initial ladies development plan the first year of the club was to develop the players skills and seek occasional friendly games, however with the influx of players into the club it was decided to go straight into All Ireland Division 2 North. (http://www.irishrugby.ie/women/index.php).
The first season (2008/2009) was a hard fought one, with the Harlequins Ladies only winning 2 out of their season fixtures.
In their second season (2009/2010) the adult squad grew to approximately 30 players and made a good account for themselves finishing mid table in A.I.L Division 2 North and competing in the Carrick 10's (http://carrickrfc.co.uk/sevens/) in May and entering a Tag team
into the IRFU
Tag leagues during the summer months (http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/)
In their third season (2010/2011) the recruitment drive in the Tag leagues and by the dedicated recruitment team saw the adult playing numbers rise to over 40+ and for the first time in Ulster
rugby history the club was able to field two competitive teams, one in AIL Division 2 North and the Ulster Development League. Both teams entered the Ulster Provincial Cup and the 1st XV entered the AIL cup. Again both of the teams entered the Carrick 10s tournament and both reached finals in the competition, the 2nd XV (named the Quins Barbarians) reached the bowl final and the 1st XV reached the cup final and were winners of the Plate.
At the end of the season the ladies qualified to the first All Ireland 7s finals and came away winners of the Plate against a number of AIL 1 teams. (http://www.irishrugby.ie/sevens/)
During the season the club also started development on a youth structure and have formed links with a number of schools in the Belfast area. In 2009/10 there were 6 youth players and in 2010/2011 this number grew to having 16 youth players between the ages of 12-17 yrs of age.
The club hold its own 7's tournament in August inviting teams from around the United Kingdom
to take part in a day long competition. In its first year 8 teams took part with a Canadian touring side entering along with teams from Ireland
. St. Mary's was the first ever winners of the tournament in 2010.
The Ladies run open nights the first Tuesday in August every year and train every Tuesday nights from 7pm - 9pm.
Belfast Harlequins
Belfast Harlequins is a multi-sports club located off the Malone Road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. The club name provides the overall umbrella for rugby union, men's and ladies' hockey and squash...
RFC opened its doors to developing a ladies team within the rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
section. They approached ex-ulster ladies coach Nathan Moore in 2008 to coach the squad and had an open day in May 2008 which attracted over 20 adult ladies.
In the initial ladies development plan the first year of the club was to develop the players skills and seek occasional friendly games, however with the influx of players into the club it was decided to go straight into All Ireland Division 2 North. (http://www.irishrugby.ie/women/index.php).
The first season (2008/2009) was a hard fought one, with the Harlequins Ladies only winning 2 out of their season fixtures.
In their second season (2009/2010) the adult squad grew to approximately 30 players and made a good account for themselves finishing mid table in A.I.L Division 2 North and competing in the Carrick 10's (http://carrickrfc.co.uk/sevens/) in May and entering a Tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
into the IRFU
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
Tag leagues during the summer months (http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby/)
In their third season (2010/2011) the recruitment drive in the Tag leagues and by the dedicated recruitment team saw the adult playing numbers rise to over 40+ and for the first time in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
rugby history the club was able to field two competitive teams, one in AIL Division 2 North and the Ulster Development League. Both teams entered the Ulster Provincial Cup and the 1st XV entered the AIL cup. Again both of the teams entered the Carrick 10s tournament and both reached finals in the competition, the 2nd XV (named the Quins Barbarians) reached the bowl final and the 1st XV reached the cup final and were winners of the Plate.
At the end of the season the ladies qualified to the first All Ireland 7s finals and came away winners of the Plate against a number of AIL 1 teams. (http://www.irishrugby.ie/sevens/)
During the season the club also started development on a youth structure and have formed links with a number of schools in the Belfast area. In 2009/10 there were 6 youth players and in 2010/2011 this number grew to having 16 youth players between the ages of 12-17 yrs of age.
The club hold its own 7's tournament in August inviting teams from around the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to take part in a day long competition. In its first year 8 teams took part with a Canadian touring side entering along with teams from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. St. Mary's was the first ever winners of the tournament in 2010.
The Ladies run open nights the first Tuesday in August every year and train every Tuesday nights from 7pm - 9pm.