President Colin McLean Coach(es) Dave Irwin Founded 1928 | Director of Rugby Stephen Nutt Captain(s) Mark Banford Ground Newtownards | |
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Full name Ards Rugby Football Club Unions Irish Rugby Football Union, Ulster Rugby | ||
Ards RFC (Ards Rugby Football Club) is a rugby club based in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, playing in the Ulster Qualifying League. It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club currently fields four adult teams and an under-19 team. Three youth teams also play at under-17, under-15 and under-13 levels. There is also a very successful Mini rugby section of the club.
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Foundation
On 11 April 1928, Ards Rugby Football Club was formed at meeting in Newtownards Academy pavilion. The first game was played on 13 October 1928. Ards RFC played most of their early years in the Ulster junior leagues
Senior status
In 1977-1978 season Ards achieved Senior status when they were elected to the Ulster Senior League. After a downturn in fortunes in the 1990s they spent a second period in the Junior leagues. However, in 2002-2003 season Ards 1st XV won through the AIB All Ireland Qualifying round robin and were promoted for a second time, to All-Ireland League. They lost their senior status in 2015, when they were relegated out of the All-Ireland League.