Rugby at Cullybackey College, is a developing and emerging sport. Over the last few seasons, Rugby has become hugely popular, with a large group of pupils attending training each Monday after school. Rugby is also becoming an integral part of Physical Education lessons throughout the college, with large numbers experiencing the sport for the first time.
As a College, we now enter teams at Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 levels in Ulster High School competitions as well as playing regular fixtures against schools throughout the Province. We have been very fortunate to taste national success, even in these developmental seasons, most notably winning the Ulster Under 14 High School Bowl in 2019.
Members of the Rugby Club at Cullybackey College have also gained representative honours for Ulster. Most notably this season, James Orr has been selected for Ulster underage teams and Jessica Wilkinson is a starter for Ulster Under 18s, performing with excellence in the recent Inter-Pro series. We are extremely proud of the efforts of all involved with Cullybackey College Rugby and it is fantastic to see those players rewarded at elite level, due to their commitment and hard work.
We have developed a close relationship with Ballymena Rugby Club, sharing resources and coaches, as well as identifying a pathway for players to gain representative honours with their local club. We now have a large group of players representing Ballymena at fixtures on a Saturday morning, and thank all those at Ballymena Rugby Club for their continued help and support as well as the more practical element of providing changing facilities and pitches on Cullybackey College home match days.
Who can take part?
The main aim of Rugby at Cullybackey College is to develop individual players in an enjoyable and challenging environment. With players joining the club at many different developmental standards we aim to give everyone the right coaching and playing environment in which to thrive. Players are monitored carefully, regardless of the team they play in.
We at Cullybackey College Rugby do not necessarily view the result as the most important issue; it is much better to develop as players over time, through a process of enjoyment of the sport, and hard work from the individual, positive results will follow.
Ethos
Our aim at Cullybackey College is to have a rugby culture that emphasises the importance of individual skills and abilities within a team environment that is competitive and open to change and new ideas. This should serve all players and coaches, to allow them to develop to their potential.
We deliver a clear pathway that allows each pupil to develop in terms of mental, physical and technical abilities. With a firm foundation, an understanding of the importance of lifestyle, emotional development and tactical knowledge can occur.
The experiences provided by the school for players will include: competitive and challenging school fixtures including some tournaments, house rugby and touch rugby competitions, regular, well planned and relevant coaching sessions, talks and advice on nutrition and conditioning, trips to Ulster Rugby matches, and opportunities to develop leadership skills through captaincy or as a house rugby rep. We understand that only a few players will progress to an elite level so the skills developed by volunteering to coach and referee peers will benefit the individual and the game of rugby as a whole.
Coaches
Mr A Magee
Mr A Scott
Mr R Cowan
In the Art Department pupils at all Key Stages are given the opportunity to express themselves creatively through the language of Art and Design. By looking at the world around them through the eyes of the artist, pupils are encouraged to explore and understand their environment visually as the artist Paul Klee states:
“Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see.”
To this end, pupils build upon their artistic experiences and further develop their skills through experimentation with a range of different media, materials and techniques.
Through research an appreciation of artists, designers and crafts makers within our own and other cultures is gained, fostering a wider interest in the subject.
Art and Design at GCSE and A’Level, allows for further development of the skills and understanding gained at Key Stage 3 as well as offering a range of opportunities for Higher Level Education and Employment within the vibrant creative industries in Northern Ireland and further afield.
