Danske-Bank-U16s-Schools-Cup-Final-2023_Programme

WALLACE HIGH SCHOOL v
CAMPBELL COLLEGE BELFAST
WED 18 OCT 2023, 2.30PM | PIRRIE PARK

A Message from the Schools’ Committee
It is with great pleasure that we welcome the
U16 XVs from Campbell College and Wallace
High School to Pirrie Park for the 2023/24
Danske Bank Schools’ U16 Cup Final. This
match is a repeat of last year’s final which
was won by Wallace High School. In last
year’s Medallion Shield, Wallace HS exited
the main competition at an early stage to
eventual winners RBAI but reached the
Plate semi-final whilst Campbell College
lost to the same opposition at the semi-final
stage. So today there shouldn’t be too much
between the teams and there is potential for
an exciting competition.
This is the third year that competitions have
been played at this level and attracted entries
from 18 schools at three different levels. From
the outset, the purpose of this competition
has been to help these players transition into
senior rugby by keeping them together for a
period of time.
In the Danske Bank U16 Shield Final, Ballyclare
HS will play Larne GS at Roughfort, also on
Wednesday and Bangor Academy are the
winners of the Danske Bank U16 Trophy.
Over recent years, the Schools’ Committee
along with support from schools has been
promoting the IRFU Codes of Conduct and I
hope that everyone respects them, ensuring
a positive experience for everyone involved
in today’s match.
The Danske Bank has been a generous and
loyal supporter of Ulster Schools’ Rugby for
the past 19 years. We are delighted to have
their support and welcome their continued
interest in rugby at this level.
Also, the Ulster Schools’ Committee are
indebted to the Principal, Staff and Governors
of Methodist College for the use of their fine
facilities here today.
In conclusion, we thank the Ulster Society
of Rugby Football Referees for their support
of Ulster Schools’ Rugby and in particular,
today’s referee, Mr Dan Carson, and his team
of officials.
We offer our best wishes to both teams and
hope that you all enjoy the game.
Richard J Clingan
Chairman, Ulster Schools’ Committee
Ulster Branch (IRFU)

Route to the Final
CCB 34 - 7 RBAI
CCB 40 - 0 Sullivan Upper
Welcome
CCB 40 - 7 BRA
from
Danske Bank
Campbell College Belfast
What an exciting time, as we see the
return of the Danske Bank Schools’ U16
Cup competition and what promises to be
another nail-biting final.
We’ve already seen some outstanding
rugby played over the last few weeks of
the U16 Cup, Plate and Shield competitions.
Congratulations to Wallace High School and
Campbell College for getting through the
group stages to secure their place in the final
today. After seeing both teams in last year’s
final and these group stages, I know we’re in
for a fantastic match today.
Through the U16 competitions, the Ulster
Schools’ Committee have created a format
that ensures players get more experience of
competitive rugby and more opportunities
to play, as well as helping players make the
transition from Medallion to senior rugby.
The U16 Schools’ Cup, Plate and Shield
competitions are also significant as they
kick off the 2023/24 Danske Bank Ulster
Schools’ Cup season, which is our 19th
season as sponsors. At Danske Bank, we’re
passionate about helping our local people
and communities thrive, and one way we
do that is through our sponsorship of youth
sports across NI. We’re an extremely proud
supporter of school rugby, GAA and football,
and like players, coaches, friends and families,
we’re excited for another wonderful season
of competitive school sport.
I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate the teams, coaches, supporters,
Ulster Rugby and Ulster Schools’ Committee
on their commitment and dedication to
school rugby and its development. Each
year it grows from strength to strength, and
it’s fantastic to see that our partnerships
are so much more than a game – brilliant
friendships, firm dedication and growing
talent are the lasting memories these young
players will have of schools rugby.
On behalf of everyone at Danske Bank, I wish
both teams the very best of luck today – and
to all the supporters, enjoy the game and this
special occasion.
Vicky Davies
Chief Executive
Danske Bank UK
Wallace High School
WHS 22 - 17 Dromore HS
WHS 12 - 0 Ballymena Academy
WHS 33 - 7 MCB

Derek Suffren
Director of Rugby
at Wallace High School
How would you assess the U16 Cup
campaign so far?
We have had a good campaign, we have
had two close encounters, one with
Ballymena away and Methody at home.
This side has developed from last year
where it was a medallion side and they
have carried through into this competition.
They have made good strides, beating
Dromore and Ballymena, who both beat
us last year shows we are happy with the
progression and how they have stuck at it.
What does the Danske Bank U16 Cup Final
do for a young player’s development?
play in games with more pressure than a
normal game, I think it helps their sporting
development but also in life too, it helps
them deal with pressure and delivering a
performance. I know the team are really
looking forward to the occasion.
Is it something the school looks
forward to?
I think there is a bit of a buzz about it in
their year group! It’s nice for the group
to be able to play on this stage and give
them something to compete for. Hopefully
after this competition they can look at
progressing into senior rugby.
We all play the game to win matches and
trophies. The more times the boys can
Jonny Culpitt
Director of Rugby
at Campbell College Belfast
How would assess the team so far?
We have a really hard-working, talented
squad that is balance and has transitioned
well from Medallion level. This tournament
is perfect platform for them to play
competitive rugby prior to Christmas.
How excited are the boys for the final?
Very, any competition within the Ulster
Schools’ format we treat with respect
and will always invest our time and put
everything into that. Our players have
trained for two months in the lead-up to
this and afterwards they will progress into
our open rugby set-up.
What does the DB U16 Cup Final do for
a young player’s development?
I think it provides a vehicle for them to
play competitive rugby, when you get
to the latter stages of it – it gears them
up for cup rugby which they will really
benefit from.
We hope that when it comes to Schools’
Cup time, they have banked that experience
and that they can cope with that stage. It’s
vital that the players want to take part, if
they are enjoying it, they will flourish on
the pitch.
It’s been a good 8-week block for them,
I think they have really enjoyed it and it’s
the perfect link for us.

Peter McClughan 15 Leo Graham
Luka Matchett 14 Rus Lovo
Luke Wilson 13 George Thomas
Ross Pedlow 12 Paul Henry
Caleb Morrell 11 Caleb Lockhart
James Curran 10 Alfie Hampton
Alex Stevenson 9 James Wells
Elijah Herdman 1 Caelan Doy-Dylan
Isaac Brett 2 Henry Costello
Thomas McCambley 3 Bret McMaster
Ben Ross 4 Raanan Potter
Sam Ravey 5 Rex Claney
Ollie Fitzsimmons 6 Rory Adair
Charlie Thompson 7 Harry Burrows
James Gould 8 Charlie Haldane
WALLACE
HIGH SCHOOL
Referee:
Dan Carson
REPLACEMENTS
Reuban Brett 16 Sam Robinson
Taidhg Fitzpatrick 17 Dante Noel Simmons
Ben Nase 18 Fraser Campbell
Thomas Moore 19 Daniel Magee
James Andrews 20 Oli Armstrong
Harry Girvan 21 Mathew Thompson
Josh Martin 22 Jake Junston
23 Aaron Lowey
COLLEGE BELFAST
CAMPBELL

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