10 Oct Grace Davitt: Ulidia Girls Try Rugby!
Ulidia girls were delighted to try their hand at Rugby on Thursday 9th October 2014 when Ireland and Ulster rugby player, Grace Davitt, visited Ulidia Integrated College.
Grace showed the girls some of her skills and answered questions from pupils. Their teacher Miss. McKee, who played alongside Grace for a year at Cooke Rugby Club, invited Grace into the College. Grace wanted to show our pupils that they could be empowered by playing the sport of rugby that she loves. When asked, Grace said, “It’s not how many times you have been knocked down, but how many times you get back up!”
Coupled with the rules of rugby, pupils also learned fitness and strengthening skills.
2014 has been a memorable year for Grace as she won her 50th Ireland cap against Italy, and made four successive starts in a centre partnership with Lynne Cantwell at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Grace also scored a fantastic try against France to leave them at the break 15 – 12 in the lead at half time, but unfortunately Ireland were beaten in the end – however they finished 4th in the World Cup. Grace also picked up the Drogheda Independent Sports Star of the Year award for 2013. She continues to play for Ulster and Ireland and is looking forward to the upcoming Six Nation’s tournament in 2015.
The Ulidia girls are going to attend Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club on Wednesday 15th October 2014 to get a taste for rugby and play with other local schools, including Carrickfergus College, Downshire High School, Belfast High and Carrickfergus Grammar. This has been organised by Gary Hunter to encourage more girls to try rugby and possibly join Carrickfergus Ladies Rugby Team.
Maybe in the future there could be a male or female Ireland player coming from the East Antrim Area, or even Ulidia!
