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Antrim RFC (Antrim Rugby Football Club) is a rugby club based at Allen Park in Antrim, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club presently field a First XV in the Ulster Minor League East 1 Section, finishing runner up in the 2013/14 season. The squad train at Allen Park on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:00pm. The club also include a Viking Minis section for children between the ages of 5-11, maintaining close links with local primary schools and in particular, Antrim Grammar School. Traditionally, the team wear blue and white with navy shorts and navy socks. == History == Back in the 1960s the town of Antrim suffered a population explosion from the extent of being situated on the main route between Belfast and the North West. A government paper known as ''the Butler report'' suggested that the new town should be able to support a rugby club. On the strength of this report, several local enthusiasts including Councillors Jack Allen and Jarvis Campbell got together and Antrim RFC was formed in the Summer of 1966. Jarvis Campbell became the first president and Jack Allen became the founder Chairman. To this day, 2 of the founder members (Neville Laverty and Dennis Manson) remain active with the club. Initially a 1st and 2nd XV were formed and played a season of friendlies and cup matches. The teams were formed from local players who left neighbouring clubs plus a large influx of schoolboys mainly from the Ballymena. After one season, the 1st XV and the 2nd XV entered the Ulster Junior and Intermediate leagues respectively. In 1970 a 3rd XV was formed and the club soon had a 4th XV come 1976. Conveniently in 1974, Antrim Grammar School was formed and the club were able to enjoy an influx of ex schoolboys and teachers ever since. After the 1st XV winning the league in 1980, the club were able to attract more players and field a 5th XV. Progress continued as the 3rds and 4ths gained successive promotions through the leagues and the 1sts won a further promotion in 1987. However successful the team were on the pitch, off it also came success. Until the early 1970s, the pitch was still a field beside the Antrim Borough Council offices on the Steeple Road with changing rooms being a converted cow shed. In 1971 the club acquired ground on the Randalstown Road and amalgamated with Antrim Hockey Club. To raise money to develop the pitches, a clubhouse was opened in the Antrim Castle Grounds which was the base of the Hockey section in 1972 and opened by none other than Willie John McBride. In 1979 the official move was made to the club's present home Allen Park, which was named after local Mayor, and the then Club President Jack Allen. The facilities included a floodlit training area, 4 grass rugby pitches, 2 grass hockey pitches and one all weather training pitch. Come 1986, the club extended the changing rooms and added a new club house which was opened by Sir Ewart Bell(President of the IRFU). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Antrim RFC」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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