The Ulster Schools’ Committee has launched a new U16s cup competition which will be sponsored by Danske Bank, Ulster Rugby have announced.
The Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup will have a new format and feature 25 teams – it will be divided into two tiers of eight and a third tier of nine.
Participating schools were categorised based on their own suggested tier of entry and the rankings were then finalised by the Ulster Schools’ Committee Officers before teams were drawn into groups.
The top tier, known as Section One, will be composed of two groups of four schools.
Each team will play three games, with the two group winners to meet in the Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium at 2 pm on Wednesday, November 17.
In the second tier, Section Two, the same format will be used, with the group winners progressing to the Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate Final, also on November 17 at a venue yet to be decided.
The third tier, Section Three, will be composed of three groups of three schools. Each team will play two games, with the three group winners, and the best second-placed team, qualifying for the semi-final draw with ties to be played on Saturday, November 6.
The two semi-final winners will then go on to compete for the Ulster Schools’ U16 Bowl, also on November 17, at a venue yet to be decided.
This competition was created after the Ulster Schools’ Committee consulted with schools to assess their needs during the previous academic year.
Ulster Schools’ Committee Chairman Richard Clingan said: “From the outset, the purpose of this competition has been twofold.
“We want to provide a good level of competitive rugby for that group of players who missed out on last year’s Medallion Shield.
“We also see this as a way to help these players transition into senior rugby by keeping them together for a period of time.”
Richard Caldwell, Managing Director of GB and Corporate Strategy at Danske Bank added: “It’s fantastic to see the evolution of the wider Schools’ Cup tournament, to help support all players and to give an opportunity to some of those who missed out on a tournament last year.
“It’s been a difficult time for all sports over the past 18 months, and I’m delighted to see the Ulster Schools’ Committee providing a format to ensure players get more experience of competitive rugby this year.
“We’re an extremely proud sponsor of youth rugby, GAA and football across Northern Ireland, and we really hope to see more competitive games for all over the 2021/22 seasons. Good luck to all those taking part, and most importantly, enjoy the experience.”
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Competition Section 1
| Group A | Group B |
| 1 Ballymena Academy | 1 Campbell College, Belfast |
| 2 Belfast Royal Academy | 2 Sullivan Upper School |
| 3 Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 3 Methodist College, Belfast |
| 4 Ballyclare High School | 4 Wallace High School |
Match Day 1: 9th October
Group A: Belfast Royal Academy vs Ballymena Academy; RBAI vs Ballyclare High School
Group B: Sullivan Upper School vs Campbell College; Methodist College vs Wallace High School
Match Day 2: 23rd October
Group A: Ballymena Academy vs RBAI; Ballyclare High School vs Belfast Royal Academy
Group B: Campbell College vs Methodist College; Wallace High School vs Sullivan Upper School
Match Day 3: 6th November
Group A: Ballyclare High School vs Ballymena Academy; Belfast Royal Academy vs RBAI
Group B: Wallace High School vs Campbell College; Sullivan Upper School vs Methodist College
Group Winners qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Cup Final: 2pm, November 17th, Kingspan Stadium
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Competition Section 2
| Group A | Group B |
| 1 Banbridge Academy | 1 Royal School Armagh |
| 2 Down High School | 2 Enniskillen Royal Grammar School |
| 3 Dromore High School | 3 Omagh Academy |
| 4 Dalriada School | 4 Rainey Endowed School |
Match Day 1: 9th October
Group A: Down High School vs Banbridge Academy; Dromore High School vs Dalriada School
Group B: Enniskillen Royal Grammar School vs Royal School Armagh; Omagh Academy vs Rainey Endowed School
Match Day 2: 23rd October
Group A: Banbridge Academy vs Dromore High School; Dalriada School vs Down High School
Group B: Royal School Armagh vs Omagh Academy; Rainey Endowed School vs Enniskillen Royal Grammar School
Match Day 3: 6th November
Group A: Dalriada School vs Banbridge Academy; Down High School vs Dromore High School
Group B: Rainey Endowed School vs Royal School Armagh; Enniskillen Royal Grammar School vs Omagh Academy
Group winners qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Plate Final, November 17th, venue TBC.
Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Competition Section 3
| Group A | Group B | Group C |
| 1 Belfast High School | 1 Foyle and Londonderry College | 1 Portadown College |
| 2 Grosvenor Grammar School | 2 Limavady Grammar School | 2 Lurgan College |
| 3 Regent House School | 3 Strabane Academy | 3 Friends’ School, Lisburn |
Match Day 1: 9th October
Group A: Grosvenor Grammar School vs Belfast High School
Group B: Limavady Grammar School vs Foyle and Londonderry College
Group C: Lurgan College vs Portadown College
Match Day 2: 16th October
Group A: Belfast High School vs Regent House School
Group B: Foyle and Londonderry College vs Strabane Academy
Group C: Portadown College vs Friends’ School
Match Day 3: 23rd October
Group A: Regent House School vs Grosvenor Grammar School
Group B: Strabane Academy vs Limavady Grammar School
Group C: Friends’ School vs Lurgan College
The three group winners, plus the best second-placed team, will qualify for the semi-finals, to be played at a neutral venue on November 6.
The semi-final winners will qualify for the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ U16 Bowl Final on November 17, venue TBC.
