The University of Ulster has launched the Women’s Rugby Academy – the first Academy of its kind in Ireland.  

Supported by Ulster Rugby, the cross-campus initiative aims to help players develop their skills and achieve their potential, as well as promoting women’s rugby.

Ulster star Paul Marshall was the guest of honour at the launch and joined six student players as they were inducted in to the Academy, which aims to assist them in their drive to develop the women’s game.

The University of Ulster’s Rugby Development Officer, Chris Galway, said: “This Academy is a first for Ireland. The aim is to give players the opportunity to develop their rugby playing ability with the potential that they will then be capable of successfully representing Ulster and Ireland on a regular basis.

“It is also a condition of the Academy that successful applicants must make a significant contribution to rugby at their respective campus as well as maintaining a good academic, playing and training standard.” 

The players in the Women’s Academy will have fitness testing, personalised strength and conditioning support, nutritional advice, personalised rugby skills sessions, physiotherapy and doctor support, onsite ultrasound diagnosis and cardiac screening.

Dr Marie Murphy, Co-Director of the Ulster Sports Academy, said: “The University has been supporting the development of women’s participation in all sports and the development of this Academy is an important step in the future of women’s sport at Ulster.”

Final year Sport and Exercise Science student and Sports Scholar Amy Davis is one of two Irish internationals joining the Academy.

She said: “The Academy is integral to the development of women’s rugby. Without this we simply would not have the means to develop as players. The facilities and services available to us at the University of Ulster campuses are second to none. 
 
“To have physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and other important provisions under the same roof as where we study is a massive help.”

Former Ulster and Ireland international Gary Longwell, who is Ulster Rugby’s High Performance Manager, said: “The partnership between Ulster Rugby and the University has always been strong. The players coming in to the Academy have been identified as already being in the squad for Ulster or on the cusp of representing the province. The aim of the Academy is to improve their skills and let them develop as better players which will inevitably have a positive impact on the squad for the future.”

The players joining the Academy are: 

For more information please email c.galway@ulster.ac.uk  or call Chris on 028 9036 8370. 

Front row (L-R) Amy Davis, Imogen Porter, Jolene Cloghley, 2nd Row (L-R) Cathy Maguire, Nikita Armstrong, Maxine McMorris Back Row (L-R) Paul Marshall (Senior Ulster Professional Player) Chris Galway (UU Rugby Development Officer) Gary Longwell (High Performance Manager, Ulster Rugby Academy) Dr. Marie Murphy (Co-Director Ulster Sports Academy) Joy Sparkes (Womens Regional Development Officer)

Front row (L-R) Amy Davis, Imogen Porter, Jolene Cloghley, 2nd Row (L-R) Cathy Maguire, Nikita Armstrong, Maxine McMorris

(L-R) Amy Davis, Cathy Maguire, Imogen Porter, Nikita Armstrong, Maxine McMorris, Jolene Cloughley

(L-R) Paul Marshall (Senior Ulster Professional Player), Amy Davis, Niall Malone (Elite Player Development Officer) , Imogen Porter, Dr. Marie Murphy (Co-Director Ulster Sports Academy)