Hughes Insurance to sponsor Ulster Rugby Academy

Based at Newforge training ground, alongside the senior Ulster squad, the aim of the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy is to provide a continuous flow of indigenous rugby talent with the ability to perform to World, International, European and PRO12 standard.

The coaching team at the Hughes Insurance Ulster Academy combines experience and expertise and brings together former coaches and players to create the perfect environment for young players to develop their game.

The Academy is led by Elite Performance Development Manager, Allen Clarke. An Ireland international and European Cup winner as a player, he has more than a decade of coaching experience at both provincial and representative level. He spent five years as High Performance manager at the IRFU.

Former Ireland and Ulster player, Gary Longwell, is Provincial Age Grade Manager at the Hughes Insurance Academy, while former Ulster Head Coach, Brian McLaughlin and former Ulster scrum-half, Kieran Campbell are Elite Player Development Officers.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Allen Clarke said:

“I would like to thank Hughes Insurance for its support of the Ulster Rugby Academy. Like the Academy, Hughes Insurance shares a commitment to excellence and a belief that fostering individual talent, drives team performance.

“We are dedicated to identifying and developing rugby talent within Ulster. The Academy has a long and successful history of producing players that have gone on to play at World, International and Provincial level and I look forward to building on that success.”

Leslie Hughes, Chairman of Hughes Insurance, added:

“As a longstanding supporter of Ulster Rugby I am delighted to sponsor the Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy. I am a firm believer in developing local talent and believe that Hughes Insurance and Ulster Rugby share many values – not least the continued pursuit of excellence in our respective fields.”