The Ulster U11 Rugby team from Northern Ireland is making the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand.
The Ulster U11 Rugby team arrived yesterday to Wellington for a rugby tour that coincides with the British Lions. The team has made a great gesture as part of their tour by making a donation to the Children’s hospitals in Ulster, Ireland & Wellington, New Zealand.
The Team raised over $2000 for Wellington Regional Children’s Hospital. The funds will be used to purchase a new chair bed for Wellington Children’s Hospital which enables parents to stay next to their child overnight whilst they have a child staying in hospital.
Sinead McCarthy, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Wellington Children’s Hospital who is from Dublin, Ireland, said it was great to see these young rugby players come to Wellington Children’s Hospital, Their special support for sick children is just wonderful”.
The sixteen young players from Ballymena, Coleraine and CIYMS rugby clubs arrived in Wellington yesterday, with the backing of one of the greatest Lions of all time – Willie John McBride. He says such trips offer incredible life experiences.
“You see a lot more of life than you would ever see around home when you go to the far side of the world and experience different cultures.” McBride said. “It’s an experience they never forget.”
The boys will play five matches in New Zealand in the Wellington area at Tawa, Petone, Hutt OB and Wellington RFC. They also have organized a game against the ‘Mini All Blacks’. And they will then have the honor of carrying out the flag for their senior counterparts at the British and Irish Lions’ second test match. Hospi says thank you!