Page 153 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

Dunclug Rugby
Year 8 Rugby—This year marked an exciting beginning for our Year 8 students as they
embarked on their Dunclug rugby journey. Training began in September, and it quickly
became clear that this would be one of the most committed groups we’ve seen, with over
20 players consistently attending sessions every Wednesday. Throughout the season, the
team took part in six tournaments hosted by Ulster Rugby, facing off against more than 14
schools from across the province. It was a fantastic introduction to the sport, and it’s been
incredibly rewarding to watch the boys grow in skill, confidence, and teamwork. Looking
ahead, it’s especially exciting to see the boys prepare for the step up to U14 level next year,
where they’ll have the opportunity to play more competitive rugby and represent the school
in full fixtures. We’re also eager to strengthen our club connections by encouraging as many
players as possible to continue their development with Ballymena RFC or Randalstown RFC.

U14 Rugby—The U14 rugby team enjoyed a remarkable season, capped by an impressive
run to the Ulster Rugby U14 Plate final. In a thrilling and hard-fought match, the boys
narrowly lost to a strong St Eunan’s side from Letterkenny, but their performance was
nothing short of outstanding and made the school incredibly proud. Over the course of the
year, the team showed real growth—not only in their skills and teamwork but also in their
squad depth. Several new players joined the team this season, many of whom were new to
the sport, and they quickly found their stride and made a big impact. Special mentions go to
Simon Gregg, who led the team with great maturity and determination as captain, and to
David Rad and Lukas Stephan, who both developed superbly and became key players. With
such talent and commitment on display, the future of rugby at Dunclug looks very bright
indeed.

U16 Rugby—Building on the momentum of last year’s success, the U16 rugby team saw a
fantastic increase in numbers at training—a clear sign of the lasting impact of previous
achievements. It was especially encouraging to welcome new players, including several from
footballing backgrounds and others completely new to the sport, all of whom brought fresh
energy and enthusiasm to the squad. This year, the team competed in the High Schools
Plate after narrowly missing out on Cup qualification, following a tough match against a
strong Ballymoney High School side who went on to reach the final. Despite this setback, the
boys rallied impressively, making a strong run in the Plate competition before bowing out in
the semi-final to Glastry College. Mr Kelly was immensely proud of the team’s efforts and
progress, and he extended a special thank you to the Year 12 pupils, many of whom played
in last year’s Cup final and have given two outstanding years of commitment and passion at
U16 level. Best of luck in the future, lads—you’ve left a brilliant legacy.

Girls Tag Rugby Kicks Off at Dunclug College—This spring term marked an exciting
beginning for girls' rugby at Dunclug College, with the launch of a tag rugby programme for
KS3 pupils. As a first step in developing girls' rugby at the school, the team showed great
enthusiasm and promise. The highlight of the term was their debut at a competitive
tournament, where they celebrated several impressive wins. With such a strong start, the
future looks bright for girls' rugby at Dunclug!