A. I am very pleased to be able to announce that Neil Kelly has agreed a new contract to stay with Ulster next year. In a short period of time he has become an invaluable member of Mark’s backup team and his background in Rugby League has brought a lot of new ideas, which have been very helpful to both the individual players and Mark. 
Neil is currently planning to move his family lock stock and barrel across from Yorkshire as soon as the school year ends.

Q. Could someone please update the supporters on the supposed development at Ravenhill?(Gary Hooks)

Q. Last year we were told that Ravenhill was about to be re-developed. I thought that a cover over the terrace and a new stand in the car park would have been perfect. Now we don’t know what’s going to happen. Could you please enlighten me? (Mark Sheridan)

Q. What is the current position regarding Redevelopment at Ravenhill (plans, planning permission, contracts) and is funding in place?(Stanley Phillips)

Q. What is the current state of play over the proposed roof over the terrace? A year ago we were told it was going to happen irrespective of other plans, what's the hold up? Has the Government thrown a spanner in the works and withheld promised funding or made it conditional on Ulster Rugby falling into line on the National Stadium issue? Is IRFU stalling?(Ken Arthur)
 
Q. Is Ulster Rugby of the view that any “New Stadium” should be located in Belfast? Can you let us know what the views are of the rugby "administrators" at Ravenhill and the IRFU, regarding the ongoing proposals for a new national stadium?
As a football supporter, I would love it if soccer could have a modern stadium to the highest standards, which would be located in a non-controversial area, and appeal to all sections of the community. 
As a rugby supporter, however, I don't think that Ulster Rugby should feel obliged to accommodate the other sports, if it is to the detriment of their own. 
It seems to me that GAA finds the matter of a national stadium almost an irrelevance, having stadia, finance and modernisation plans already in place to accommodate their sport.
Part of the "occasion" of Ravenhill is it's character and atmosphere. This is to the advantage of Ulster, and any change to that would, in my opinion, have an adverse affect on the team. I believe it would be in the best interests of Ulster Rugby to develop Ravenhill to bring it up to modern standards, or if a new stadium is deemed to be the only way forward, it must be much smaller than the sizes being touted in the media, AND should not be sited anywhere but Belfast. This is not just for easier access for Belfast folk (I don't live in Belfast), but I believe would allow all home and visiting supporters to benefit from what Belfast has to offer. This includes transport (inc air & sea), accommodation and socialising. A "free" stadium is not much of a bargain if it costs more in the long term.
An explanation of the Branch's current thinking on this subject would be appreciated. (Ken Arthur)

A. Drawings have been completed for a four phased approach to redeveloping Ravenhill and these were passed by the Ulster Branch Committee some months ago. 
It is hoped that we can move these proposals forward to full planning in the foreseeable future and it is still our objective to have Phase 1 completed before the 2006-07 European Cup season. 
At this stage given the sensitivities I am not able to go into exact detail of what Phase 1 will entail. 

Q. Is there a clear realisation amongst those discussing the National Stadium proposal, that the majority of fans of rugby and football want the stadium in Belfast, and that the involvement of the GAA shouldn't mean the two sports are saddled with the responsibility of a future playing at a half-empty white elephant at Maze?(Iluvni)

A. As you will be aware the Government have announced their intention to take three potential venues for National Stadium to an economic appraisal stage. 
Ulster Rugby maintains its involvement in the process and its support of both Government and S.I.B. in this initiative. We look forward to ongoing discussions regarding the siting issue and all other further developments. 
The opinions of fans have been canvassed via URSC and we will take these views on board along with those of other stakeholders.

Q. What is happening with regards to Paul Steinmetz? His 2 year contract runs out in the summer and every Ulster fan I know is keen to keep him.  He provides a great bit of spark to the backline.  All efforts should be made to keep him at the club.  Are you going to offer him a new deal? (Martin Soutar)

A. Paul Steinmetz originally signed a two year contract with an option for a further year.  We have been in discussion with both Paul and his agent, and I am extremely hopeful that he will be with us, not only for next season but the year after.

Q. In order to promote Ulster Rugby and to continue to develop links with the Southern Hemisphere countries would Ulster consider a pre season tour to South Africa, Australia or New Zealand? (David Craig)

A. We have been approached and asked to consider a pre-season your to South Africa, however, in the current financial environment this would have to be a ‘No Cost Tour’.  During the Summer months, however, an Ulster Under 17 School side, as part of their development process, will go to South Africa on a two week trip.

Q. Will we ever have cheerleaders at Ravenhill ? If not, why not ? And if then answer is yes  then when? And will we have to pay extra to see them? The Ulster public have a right to know. (Holywood Mike)

A. Mike, never say never! At the moment there are no plans to bring cheerleaders to Ravenhill, but if you are a big fan of cheerleaders I would recommend a visit to the Grafton Arena.

Q. Does Mr. Reid have any influence in Celtic League Rugby’s decision to award the television broadcast rights to Setanta?  If so, did he believe that this decision was in the best interest of the supporters and Ulster rugby in general or was he aware that the cost of £155 to see perhaps 3 Ulster matches live and exclusive would be prohibitive to all but the hardy/wealthy few?
Is he aware of any interest in the rights by BBC NI, UTV, RTE, TG4 or anyone else?
Will he assure the ‘best supporters in the Celtic League’ that he will make representations to secure a better deal next time TV rights are being negotiated?
As supporters who have fully embraced the concept of the Celtic League, we not only want to be able to view more away games, but want to see the profile of the league elevated to its rightful position.  The decision to effectively not televise it in most of Ireland seems ridiculous to us. (Rich M)

A. The television deal with Setanta was completed with the Celtic League Association Board and it was not one that any team individually was party to. 
There is no doubt that while Setanta has brought a large number of games to certain parts of Ireland it has brought very few games to the North and indeed has prohibited other broadcasters, who may have wished to do so, the opportunity to televise games. 
In addition the change of kick off times and day has been disruptive and has had a negative financial impact on Ulster Rugby. 

We have made our views well known to the Union and through the Union to the Celtic League Association. I would estimate that the change of kick of times in season from our traditional Friday nights to Saturday’s has cost us in the region of £50K with no additional income achieved directly from the Setanta deal.

Setanta’s deal was the best deal on the table for CLA at the time, other parties made their interest known after the event but were not willing to put up sufficient money at the time.

The general frustration, which is obvious in your question, is shared by myself and the Board of Ulster Rugby and it is something we have taken to the highest level.  There is no guarantee, however, that the commercial requirements of the sport may affect kick off times and dates in the future.

Q. What steps are being taken to remove permanently the threat that Ulster Rugby becomes a feeder province for the other two provinces? (Henry Sinnerton)

A. Every effort must be made by Ulster Rugby to ensure that we develop an effective winning team. There is no threat at the moment that Ulster Rugby becomes a feeder for the other two Provinces, but without doubt success on the pitch means players want to stay and players in successful teams get called up to National Squads. 
It is therefore imperative that we constantly strive to improve our performance on the pitch and the quality of Management and Coaching off the pitch to make players want to stay with Ulster.

Q. Could Andy Ward not be talked out of retirement? or perhaps even encouraged to stay as a "super sub" a bit like Teddy Sheringham did at Man Utd where he didn’t expect to start games but was always there to help finish them? (Walter Lambe)

A. Andy Ward has made the decision to retire while at the top, a decision we fully support. 
We have already spoken with Wardy about a part time job with Ulster Rugby which would allow him time to take on a number of other interests he has already lined up and he is actively considering that at the moment.

Q. In order to end the current round of contract rumours are the Branch in a position yet to confirm whether Ronan McCormack, Kieran Campbell and Paul Steinmetz will be playing for Ulster next season? (Andrew Bell)
 
A. We don’t normally enter into discussion on contracts while we are in the middle of negotiation, but I am hopeful that Ronan, Kieran and Paul will be playing for Ulster next season.

Q. The Provinces are supposed to be developing their own individual income streams. Can the Branch advise why the beer tent and shop are currently franchised out? Wouldn't it be more profitable if the income derived from these ventures went directly back into the Branch coffers? Why is there such a limited range of merchandise available, surely there are many other items that could be added to what is already on sale? (Andrew Bell)

A. The Ulster Branch relies on the licences applied for and managed by the Bar Management Team from Hamilton & Kirk and in return for that, we are paid a match-by-match fee and a small percentage of sales.  This gives us an income stream that is tied to the activity in the Bar, but doesn’t tie us to the purchase of a licence (if one was available). 
The decision to employ SS Moore’s on a similar basis where a royalty or percentage of sales is paid to us was done at a time when we didn’t have any ability to sell from a proper shop.  It makes good business sense to maintain this scenario until a proper shop is available, at which stage we will look at the options again.