We have several initiatives already underway to drive improvement across the club. These include:
A significant recruitment drive for the Senior Club means we are planning to start the new 2021/22 season with a 1st XV playing squad of 30.
Our ambition is to have the 1st XV – Top 3 in Ulster, being promoted to the AIL and winning the Senior Cup within the next 3 seasons.
Furthermore, that the 2nd and 3rd XV finish top 3 in their respective leagues and winning their respective cups.
A group of Club members aged between 22 and 86 recently completed a project to define our new Club values that will help guide us in this new era.
Appointment of a Liaison Officer to bridge the gap between players leaving the U18 squad and senior club.
To identify new talent, we have been developing and cementing relationships with over 30 different schools through the ‘Schools in Our Community Project’ from P2-P7 taking a very simple approach of ‘changing lives through rugby.’
We have also worked at secondary level schools including Rathmore, Malone Integrated College, St Marys, La Salle, Coláiste Feirste, St Josephs and RBAI.
Part of the return of this great work is that across the Minis and Youth sections we now have approximately 300 players turning out every week.
50% of these now come from schools other than Inchmarlo and RBAI. (These players are supported by 50 volunteer coaches).
The Club held its very successful inaugural pre match ladies lunch attended by 100 ladies of all ages, now set to be as a minimum, an annual event.
We are also working on an ambitious 5 year strategy that will drive our actions through the 2021/22 – 2026/27 seasons and will include significant capital input into the development of our physical resources at Shaws Bridge.
Whilst we continue to work with our much appreciated sponsors and seek grant funding where available, Covid 19 has decimated our immediate and planned fundraising activity that would usually support our development plans.
Significant capital spend to develop the club house, changing rooms, flood lighting, bar and catering to make the Club a ‘go to’ venue
To help us meet these costs we are launching
and are seeking to raise sufficient funds over the next 12 months, with a target of £50,000.
For the first time ever the Rugby Committee has decided to contact all Instonians across the world to humbly request a pledge or donation, no matter how big or small, to sustain the Club in the short term as well as underpin our growth and success plans in the medium to long term.
Please donate to help the club thrive in these difficult times and GET US BACK TO WHERE WE BELONG.
Yours Sincerely,
Chairman of the Rugby Committee
We are inclusive, strengthened by diversity and embrace all members irrespective of social background, gender, race or religion.
By family, for family. Our Club is for boys and girls, brothers and sisters, mums and dads and everyone else. Our Club is positive, safe, respectful and nurturing.
Our connection is lifelong – once an Instonian, always an Instonian. You will always be welcome.
FELLOWSHIP – We have an intangible bond with each other, irrespective of age or geography. We nurture this bond and use it for the good of our Club, each other and those around us.
We are proud of our Club history, customs and stories and build on these for the future.
ON 23 MAY 1919, IN THOMPSONS RESTAURANT, INSTONIANS WAS FOUNDED AS THE OLD BOYS RUGBY CLUB OF THE ROYAL BELFAST ACADEMICAL INSTITUTION.
Two teams were fielded in that inaugural year and they played in the yellow and black of the school with the addition of purple, which was a permanent memorial to the 132 old boys who had fallen during the war.
The Club was established on 5 acres of leased land, part of the former Malone Golf Club Links at Bladon.
The Ulster Branch refused the Club automatic entry into the senior league, however under the captaincy of RJ Scone Sullivan, the 1st XV won the Ulster Junior League at the first attempt, gaining promotion to senior status.
When the lease on Bladon expired, 14 acres of mud, rubble and swamp were purchased in the bend of Blackwater stream on the edge of Belfast. New grounds and club house were established and named Shane Park, in memory of Bertie Shane.
This remained the home until 1999 when, with the costs of maintaining a large sports club spiralling upwards, the decision was made after careful negotiations to sell up and move the short distance to Shaws Bridge.
A ground share arrangement was established with Cooke RFC which allowed both clubs to remain independent, with their identities intact, yet allowing the overall costs of running the complex to be shared.
This has proved to be a very successful arrangement within what is arguably the best sports club complex in Ireland.
