A Belfast rugby club continues to grow from strength to strength, 100 years on from its formation. This Autumn marks a century since Civil Service (NI) RFC was established.
The club was born out of the efforts of staff of the then newly established Northern Ireland Civil Service. And the rest, as they say, is history.
After some years of success playing at a junior level, the club was given senior status by the Ulster Branch in the 1928/29 season. They celebrated by winning the senior league at its first attempt, a feat the club repeated in 1969-70.
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Civil Service NI currently plays its rugby in Ulster Rugby Championship Division 3 and runs two adult teams on Saturdays, playing out of the grounds at Stormont. It now welcomes players from outside the original remit of the Civil Service, with many enjoying the convenient location within Belfast, excellent facilities, stunning surroundings of Stormont Estate and friendly nature of the club.
It has a long and proud tradition of producing players, referees and officials who gained international and representative recognition. Several players were capped by Ulster and Ireland, while others who passed through the ranks of Service teams achieved similar honours, including British Lions status.
Civil Service's most distinguished son was perhaps Dudley Higgins, an accomplished full-back who gained caps during the 1948 Five Nations Championship. And in doing so became one of an elite band of players who have won a Grand Slam for Ireland.
Higgins went on to become President of the Ulster Branch in 1960/61 and of the IRFU in 1976-77. More recently, Civil Service (NI) RFC have been delighted to watch the current progress of Harry Sheridan with Ireland Under 20s and Ulster Rugby.
Sheridan started his rugby playing career with Civil service minis.
The club has invested heavily in its youth section (Y8-Y14), to complement its already well established Mini rugby programme (4-11 year olds), through its Youth Development Rugby Programme which re-commenced in September 2021 after a three-year lapse; and has in the season just past seen approx. 175 children attend rugby activities at Stormont in the first year of this new programme.
This has resulted in the club developing U12 Development boys, U12 girls, U12 boys, U14 boys and U16 boys squads last season.
Phil Kennedy, Youth Rugby Convenor said: "We have been astounded by the success of our Youth Development Programme in its first year. The number of children who have attended rugby sessions at the club and who have gone on to play competitive rugby and represent the club, many of whom had never played rugby before, is remarkable.
"I must thank the excellent group of Youth coaches that we have for all the hard work they have put in over the last year and I am looking forward to another successful year where we can assist more young players to experience rugby at the club."
It is not only the Youth that the club is looking to provide rugby opportunities to. The club’s two senior teams both provide those who are interested in either trying rugby for the first time or returning to rugby, the opportunity play at a social level or a more competitive level whilst enjoying the great team environment that a sport such as rugby provides. Civil Service
Head Coach, Michael Curran said: "We pride ourselves on providing our players with a great environment to learn and play rugby in. This is not only in relation to the excellent sports and social facilities at Stormont, but also the inclusive support network in relation to their coaching, logistic and welfare needs.
"We welcome any new players regardless of their experience or ability to give rugby a try. We also wish to reach out to those players who previously played at the club during their time in the minis, youth or senior sections and who are considering making a return to the game.
"We will ensure that you all feel welcome and part of our club family."
To ensure that those who may be interested in trying rugby for the first time or returning to rugby after a time away from the sport, the club have organised a Senior Open Day at Stormont on Saturday, August 6. This will include an introduction to the club, some light skills training and touch rugby matches in the grounds of Stormont.
Club Chairman, Phil Anderson added: "With the success of the Youth Development Programme there is a great buzz and excitement around the club in a year when we celebrate our centenary. The club has played an important role in Ulster Rugby over the last 100 years and we hope that with the growth in the youth section and the opportunities that we provide at senior level for adult players that this success carries on for another 100 years."
Any children (Y8-Y14) that are interested in trying rugby with Civil Service's Youth section should contact Arthur Kerr at arthur.kerr1959@googlemail.com tel: 07888738238. Youth rugby training will restart week beginning Monday, August 8.
Any children (P1 to P7) wishing to try mini rugby should contact Alan Wilson at wilsy3@hotmail.com tel 07884 367972. For those adults who are interested in either trying rugby for the first time or returning to rugby then they can contact Michael Curran on miccurran50@gmail.com tel: 07393351309.
Alternatively, you can turn up to the Open Day on August 6.
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