Banbridge Medallion win the Medallion Bowl in 2008. 14 Players are in the current squad.
As part of a massive campaign to publicise Schools’ Cup rugby in Northern Ireland, 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 Banbridge Academy.
History
Banbridge Academy have built up a great and thriving reputation as a rugby school over the last number of years, from Junior rugby right through to Senior rugby. The rugby club within the Academy endeavours to promote the qualities of discipline, sportsmanship, hard work, respect and fair-play throughout its teams; and the coaching staff are always striving to provide a safe and fun environment for every player. Their focus is always on the players as they continue to improve and develop the boys’ skills, fitness, knowledge and understanding of the game of rugby.
Rugby has always been an aspect of school life at Banbridge Academy, but almost 15 years ago the sport had virtually disappeared from the curriculum. It was only when coaches Brian Leslie and Tim Baxter joined the school that rugby was started again, and Brian admits it wasn’t easy. “We virtually had to start schools’ rugby from scratch. There were no Saturday fixtures before we joined, but now we have Saturday fixtures once again and are competing with a majority of schools. We are still relatively young compared to other schools who compete, but we have made great progress in a very short space of time.”
History with the Schools’ Cup
Banbridge Academy are seeded third round in the Schools’ Cup each year and they have reached the quarter-finals of the competition on a few occasions.
Coach
Brian Leslie
First XV squad (2010-2011)
Calum Boardman (prop)
Jordan Buchanan (hooker)
Chrissy Craig (centre)
Hugo Harbinson (scrum half)
Andrew Herron (wing/fullback)
Tom Jess (back row)
Aaron Kennedy (out half)
Matthew Kerr (centre)
Bradley Martin (back row)
Dale Martin (second row)
Kallan Martin (second row)
Andrew McConnell (back row)
Nathan McDonald (back row)
John McKane (prop)
David McKeown (back row)
Thomas Morrow (scrum half)
Tom Neilly (prop)
Bryce Redmond (hooker)
Michael Ross (wing/fullback)
Michael Runciman (wing/fullback)
Harry Russell (back row)
Mark Sinton (second row)
Marc Stevenson (out half)
Carl Stirling (centre)
Chrissy Watt (centre)
Joe Weir (wing/fullback)
Tours
Banbridge traditionally take their teams on tour at the end of the Schools’ Cup season, around Easter, as a reward and recognition to the players for the hard work and time they have dedicated to the season. In the past, both the Senior and Junior squads have toured Paris and Barcelona.
This year, they hope to continue to the tradition, as well as spending time team-building before the competition kicks off after Christmas.
2009-2010 Schools’ Cup campaign
Banbridge Academy were seeded third round last season and were narrowly defeated 7 – 13 by Limavady Grammar School.
Goals for the new season?
The main aim this season, is to win the Schools’ Cup as coach Brian Leslie, explains: “I think that is the most important goal the boys – and the coaching staff – can have. To enter into the competition, you have to believe you can win it and I truly believe we can. We have a strong team at the Academy, who can defeat anybody on a given day.”
Squad strength
Banbridge’s strength can be found across the entire squad, from the pack to the back line, and this depth is something the team prides itself on.
Players to watch?
Kallan Martin, captain of Banbridge Academy’s First XV. He is a great leader for the side and hungry to get his hands on the ball.
Andrew McConnell, is Banbridge’s Vice Captain and plays open-side flanker.
Hugo Harbinson, who plays scrum-half, is a strong runner and is always creating breaks in the game.
Nevertheless, Banbridge Academy have had a successful start to their season, and Brian speak admirably of all the players included in the squad.
Present Ulster Schools’ players?
No, however the Academy has produced a number of Ulster Schools’ players in previous years.
Previous Ulster Schools’ players?
Bill Harbinson (who is scrum-half Hugo Harbinson’s father) played centre for Ulster.
Shandon Scott played fullback for Ulster Schools’.
Banbridge have also had great success in the U18 and U19 categories, with Ryan Bentley playing centre, Robin Thompson playing out-half and Paul Ross playing hooker for Ulster teams.
Jonathan Simpson played prop for U18 and U19 and went on to play hooker for Irish Schools’ rugby.
Robin Thompson’s brother, Jeff, was also a member of the U19 squad.
***
Brian Leslie is coach of the Academy’s First XV and throughout his time at the school, has organised rugby tours to Paris and Barcelona for his young players, and watched his squad go from strength to strength.
We have had a good start to our season and the team are working well together. We’re very fortunate as we are not a large school, compared to others in the competition, but the pride and the talent from our players is fantastic.
Banbridge have a mixture of youth and experience on their side and Brian believes this has helped the squad get off to such a great start.
We are trying to bring our Junior players through a lot more so that when they reach Senior level, they are used to playing a lot of different and strong sides. When it comes to Schools’ Cup, there are no easy fixtures and we need to ensure we are prepared for each match. The younger players are excited to be playing at this high level as it is a great achievement for them and the older members of the squad have stepped forward, worked hard and lead by example. Not only does it have a positive impact on the squad, but it is great for us as coaches to see as well, and to know they are giving everything to the competition.
And looking forward to the upcoming season, Brian continued:
The team is playing as a whole and whilst we may not have any players involved with Ulster Schools’ this season, I feel we are a stronger team overall because of it. You can see by their dedication at training and Saturday matches, how much this means to them and the pride they have when they wear their jersey. We’ve built up a great reputation as a rugby school and we are looking forward to seeing how our season unfolds.
We hope to catch a match with the current squad in the next couple of weeks.
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One Response to “School Assignments: Banbridge Academy”
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And of course not forgetting former Banbridge Academy, Ulster, Ireland and British Lions player – Tyrone Howe.
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