School Assignments: Antrim Grammar School

As part of our campaign to publicise Schools’ rugby in Ulster, we are travelling the length and breadth of the province to visit the schools competing in this years’ Schools Cup. This week, we turn our focus to Antrim Grammar School.

History

Antrim Grammar School was founded in 1974 and has grown into one of the most academically successful schools in the province as well as being accredited as an International School by the British Council and being given Specialist School Status for Mathematics and Information Technology.

Antrim Grammar has also built up a strong reputation as a sporting school. The summer of 2007 saw 45 members of the senior squad venture on the schools’ first rugby tour to South Africa, and have the incredible opportunity to play fixtures against some of the top rugby schools in South Africa. In fact, in 2007 the school took over 110 players in total, on tour to destinations which included South Africa, Rome and Scotland. The school’s new three year tour schedule will be announced shortly.

History with the Schools’ Cup

Antrim Grammar’s best performance in the Schools’ Cup was during the 90s when the squad reached the quarter-finals, and two Ulster Schools’ players – Gary Wilson and Keith Falls – were members of the first XV.

Coach

Bryan Baguley

First XV squad (2010-2011)

R. Bailey
A. McBride
J. McClay
A. Patterson
J. Dempster
A. Howe
N. McCullouch
A. McFadden
M. Murray
A. Simpson
N. Allen
A. Duncan
I. Moxen
A. Cullen
S. Rothwell
S. Jayaprakash
T. Brownlee

Tours

Summer 2010 saw 43 boys head to South Africa for a 15 day tour. They faced very tough rugby but the boys came together as a squad and their enthusiastic team spirit has shown through the brilliant start of their 2010/2011 campaign.

The team had three fixtures during their tour. The first at Menlo Park, Johannesburg; the second at Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch, which coach Brian Baguley states is, “arguably one of the top three rugby schools in South Africa,” and the third fixture for the boys from Antrim was held at Hermanus High School.

The tour proved to be a massive challenge for the team, but it was also an incredible experience for the young players, and their coach believes it has given the squad a great advantage for the new season.

“You can see the hard work the boys have put in over the summer has come to fruition now. They have developed wonderfully and the spirit they have is incredible. For the first time in 7 years we have been able to put out 3 teams at senior level which is fantastic for a school our size. The enthusiasm and interest which is evident at the school for rugby is fantastic to see.”

2009-2010 Schools’ Cup campaign

Antrim won their preliminary games against Wellington College and Strabane Grammar, but lost in the next round. The squad put in spirited performances throughout the competition and the passion shone through the young side, whose majority of the team consisted of Fifth form and Lower Sixth pupils, with only one Upper Sixth pupil involved in the First XV.

Goals for the new season?

The ultimate goal for the squad is to progress as far as they can and compete for some silverware.

Alongside this, the coaches also hope the boys will continue to be involved with rugby after they leave school, whether it’s playing, coaching, or administrating a club.

Two years ago, Antrim Rugby Club held a special Over-35s versus Under-35s team, and 15 of the players in the Under-35s, had been pupils at Antrim within the last five years, which the coaches have said was “one of the proudest moments” for the school.

A previous Schools’ captain has also joined the coaching staff at Antrim, as their strength and conditioning coach.

Squad strength

Antrim’s strength lies in the camaraderie and closeness of the squad, thanks to their successful tour to South Africa, and it is something the team prides themselves on.

Players to watch?

Supreet Jayaprakash, who plays centre, is a strong player and a hard worker.

C. McGreneghan, is an open-side flanker and a constant threat to any side.

Ian Moxen, a tight-head prop who has been a huge asset to the Antrim side in recent months.

Antrim Grammar has had a promising start to their season, and the coaches speak admirably of all the players who have slotted into the side seamlessly, in the wake of a few injuries.

Present Ulster Schools’ players?

No, but one of the players, Supreet Jayaprakash, was invited to the Ulster U19 squad trials.

Previous Ulster Schools’ players?

Yes, Gary Wilson and Keith Falls.

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Bryan Baguley has been a coach with Antrim Grammar for 8 years, and throughout this time he has organised rugby tours to Italy and South Africa for his young players, and watched his squad go from strength to strength.

“We are very fortunate at Antrim to have a close squad. They are always enthusiastic about their rugby and you can see how hard they work and how much it means to them to play for their school. They are determined boys who give everything they have when they play.”

Last season, the Schools’ Cup was a big challenge for Antrim, who fielded a very young squad, with only one Upper Sixth pupil on the starting XV. Despite the possible disadvantage, Antrim came through their first two rounds of the competition, and Bryan has nothing but praise for the side:

“The younger players found it a big step up in physicality and intensity, but they did extremely well and played good rugby. This year the younger members of the squad look to the experienced players for advice and help, and it has been a great support to them. The older members of the side have helped nurture and settle them into the team, which is a very positive impact for us to see, as coaches too.”

And looking forward to the forthcoming season, Bryan continued: “We would like to compete for some silverware, such as the Trophy and Bowl. We are a small school in relation to other the schools we face, so it’s important we keep a realistic outlook on our campaign. We have a confident team this year who are winning their matches, so it will be interesting to see how our season unfolds.”

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