2025-07-31-annual-report

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Ulster Rugby Foundation Limited Trustee Annual Report

For the year 1[st] August 2024 – 31[st] July 2025

Organisation Details

Address

Affidea Stadium, 134 Mount Merrion Avenue, Belfast, BT6 0FT

Charity Commission Number NIC109970

Company Number NI700493

Trustees/Directors Martin Pitt (Chairperson) Claire Bonner Jennifer Ebbage Neill Jackson Hugh Logan Harry McKibbin Heather Weir

(NB: Those named above are the charity trustees/company directors on the date of the report, and served accordingly during the year).

Company Secretary

Audrey Robinson resigned from the role on 27[th] August 2025. David Johnston was appointed Company Secretary at the Foundation Board meeting on 3[rd] September.

Head of Foundaton and Development

David Johnston

Minute Taker

Paula Parker

Governance

The organisation is registered as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee. Date of incorporation: 15[th] August 2023.

The organisation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Registration date: 31[st] January 2024.

Strategic Plan

The Foundation Board approved a 3 year strategic plan (2024-2027) for the charity, outlining its vision, mission, values and priorities.

Vision:

To inspire lifelong participation in rugby, in order to provide significant health, well-being and local community benefits.

Mission:

To raise and distribute funds in support of grassroots rugby development throughout Ulster.

Priorities:

Three priority areas within amateur rugby have been identified for targeted support, including young people, women & girls and disability rugby.

Objectives:

To promote community participation in healthy recreation for the benefit of the general public through the advancement of amateur Rugby.
To increase the participation in amateur rugby through the education of children and young people by such means as the Members think fit and according to the laws applicable in Northern Ireland.
To provide funds or to organise or provide facilities which can be used to play amateur rugby in local communities for persons who by reason of their youth or social and economic circumstances have need for such funds or facilities with the object of improving the conditions of life and experiences for the persons for whom the same are provided;
To promote and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals through rugby, and through such means as the Members think fit according to the laws applicable in Northern Ireland.
The promotion of such other charitable purposes through such means as the Members think fit and according to the laws applicable in Northern Ireland.

Achievements and Performance

Launch of the Foundation

While the Foundation was officially incorporated on 15 August 2023, it marked its formal launch with a special showcase event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, in September 2024. The event celebrated the Foundation’s first year of work and highlighted the positive impact already being made in communities across Ulster.

We were honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests, including the First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, with David Honeyford MLA kindly sponsoring the event. The afternoon was hosted by former Ulster and Ireland player Darren Cave, who led a compelling conversation with a panel of local voices, people of all ages and abilities whose lives have been positively shaped by rugby.

With a strong commitment to the development of the women and girls’ game, guests heard from former Ulster Women’s player Sorcha MacLaimhin, who shared her journey from grassroots to provincial rugby. She also spoke passionately about launching ‘Yer Ma 7s’ at Cooke RFC, an initiative aimed at encouraging more mums to get involved in the sport and enjoy the benefits of rugby, community, and belonging.

Jacob Sullivan, captain of Malone Tornadoes Mixed Ability team, shared his pride in leading his side to the upcoming IMART World Cup in Spain in 2025. He reflected on how mixed ability rugby has changed his life and encouraged others, regardless of ability, to experience the inclusive power of the game.

Lastly, Graham and Lewis Rennie spoke movingly about the strength rugby gave their family after the tragic loss of young Callum, Lewis’s brother. Lewis, a dedicated player at Larne RFC, recalled his recent visit to Ulster Rugby where he met the Ulster squad and shared his inspiring fundraising efforts in memory of Callum. Their story brought to life the emotional depth and lasting impact of the youth game, another key focus area for the Foundation.

Together, these personal stories brought to life the real and lasting benefits of being involved in rugby, not just as a sport, but as a source of connection, inclusion, and resilience. Whether it’s through new opportunities for women and girls, inclusive pathways for players with disabilities, or the support networks formed through youth rugby, the Foundation is committed to making the game accessible to all. The launch event served as a powerful reminder of why the Foundation exists: to ensure that more people, in more communities, can experience the transformative power of rugby.

Fundraising Initiatives

All funds raised go directly toward furthering the Foundation’s mission. Here are some of our key fundraising activities:

The Foundation’s inaugural Golf Day, held on Thursday, 17 April 2025, at Shandon Park Golf Club, proved to be a resounding success.
The Foundation celebrated its first-ever Foundation Day fixture on Friday 20 December, when Ulster took on interprovincial rivals Munster. The event proved to be a resounding success, with funds raised through various activities including a raffle and online auctions.
Match Night Raffles have been a key fundraising initiative delivered by the Foundation during selected home fixtures across the season. These raffles mainly reach out to supporters in the stadium, offering exciting prizes such as signed merchandise, hospitality packages, and partner vouchers, again with all proceeds invested back into the Foundation’s core programmes.
On Friday 2 August 2024, supporters flocked to Ulster Rugby Stadium for the annual Kit Sale in aid of the Ulster Rugby Foundation.
Ulster Rugby and the Foundation host an annual Family Fun Day at the stadium. Featuring appearances from Sparky, the Ulster squad, and inclusive community activities, the event brings together families for engaging games, entertainment, and fundraising.

Programmes

Through the generosity of our donors and partners, the Foundation is proud to support a growing number of programmes that use rugby as a tool to change lives. From grassroots development to inclusive participation and targeted outreach, these initiatives reflect our commitment to making the sport accessible, impactful, and open to all.

In line with its objectives, the Foundation Board agreed to initiate a second distribution of funds in support of grassroots rugby, with £10,000 allocated towards the Club & Community Rugby Officer (CCRO) programme. The CCRO programme links with Ulster Rugby’s affiliated rugby clubs whose local officers work in schools and community settings to grow grassroots participation across Mini's, Youth, Women & Girls and Disability Rugby.

So far, the Foundation has also invested £27,500 into Ulster Rugby’s Rugby Participation Programme, with Participation Officers working to deliver a series of outreach programmes to expose new audiences to the sport. This has included activities targeting Rugby Clubs, Primary Schools and Secondary schools from across all corners of the province, delivering organised events and festivals and introductory sessions . They also play a key role in ensuring other coaches based in clubs and schools have the support and resources they need to develop players of all ages.

Creating inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy rugby is a central aim of the Foundation. To help achieve this, we are investing £22,500 into activities specifically designed to support individuals with disabilities across the province. This funding is helping clubs to develop new disability teams and build stronger links with local schools. There is also a concentrated effort to expand inclusive playing opportunities, growing Disability Tag Rugby and Mixed Ability Rugby while also supporting Club Development and Volunteer Education activities so that clubs can build high quality and long lasting structures for the benefit of those with disabilities.

£5,000 of this funding will also be directed toward providing specialist disability equipment for 14 clubs , helping to break down practical barriers and enable meaningful participation.

Ambassadors

The Foundation is delighted to continue having the support of players Jacob Stockdale and India Daley as its ambassadors, who will support the work of the Foundation and assist in awareness raising.

Ulster Rugby Foundation Community Impact Award

2024/25 Community Impact Award was proudly presented to Ashley Mulligan, a dedicated coach with the Malone Tornadoes Mixed Ability Rugby Team. Ashley was recognised for his

outstanding commitment to creating and supporting participation opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities. His energy, empathy, and unwavering belief in the power of inclusive sport have helped grow the Tornadoes into a thriving team where every player is valued and empowered.

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

			Year	Period
	Unrestricted	Restricted	to 31 July 25 to 31 July 24	to 31 July 25 to 31 July 24
	Funds	Funds	TOTAL	TOTAL
	£	£	£	£
Income
Golf Day	16,533	0	16,533	0
Cookstown Rugby Club	0	0	0	5,251
Awards Dinner	4,912	0	4,912	8,427
Foundation day	8,233	0	8,233	0
Family Fun Day Aug 24 profit	8,898	0	8,898	0
Kit Sale - Aug 24/July 25	31,267	0	31,267	0
J Cooney Shirt Raffle	1,750	0	1,750	0
Nomadic Watch Raffle	1,630	0	1,630	0
General donations	7,287	0	7,287	11,148
Match night raffle collections	26,470	0	26,470	10,210
Total Income	106,980	0	106,980	35,036
Expenditure
Purchases for match night raffle collections	7,474	0	7,474	2,427
Grant re CCRO programme 24-25	10,000	0	10,000	0
Grant re RPO 24-25	27,500	0	27,500	0
Fundraising officer	3,095	0	3,095	0
Stormont Event	970	0	970	0
Lottery licence	0	0	0	35
Legal fees	0	0	0	9,513
Enthuse fees	564	0	564	168
Advertising board	528		528	0
Sum up machine	170	0	170	80
Gilbert Rugby balls	97	0	97	0
Golf Day costs	5,743	0	5,743	0
Awards Dinner	600	0	600	0
Re J Cooney Signed Shirt	393	0	393	0
Bank Charges	45	0	45	0
Re Kit Sale	15	0	15	0
Total Expenditure	57,194	0	57,194	12,223
Net Profit	49,787	0	49,787	22,813
Transfers to/(from) funds	0	0	0	0
Surplus/(deficit) for the year	49,787	0	49,787	22,813
Reconciliation 31.07.2025
Opening balance	22,813	0	22,813	0
Surplus/(deficit) for this year end	49,787	0	49,787	22,813
	72,600	0	72,600	22,813
Check
BOI bank balance 31 July 2025	102,061	0	102,061	9,367
Balance IRFU Ulster Branch	-29,261	0	-29,261	13,446
Year end balance sheet adjustments	-200 0 -200 0 72,600 0 72,800 22,813 ~~a~~

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STATEMENT OF ASSET AND LIABILITIES
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
Funds Reconciliation	Funds	Funds	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£
Opening balance	22,813	0	22,813	0
Surplus/(deficit) for this year end	49,787	0	49,787	22,813
	72,600	0	72,600	22,813
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
Bank & Cash Balances	Funds	Funds	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£
Bank Deposit Accounts	0	0	0	0
Bank Current Accounts	102,061	0	102,061	9,367
Cash in Hand	-	0	-	-
	102,061	0	102,061	9,367
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
Other Assets	Funds	Funds	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£
Trade debtor - Castore	5,000	0	5,000	0
Other debtor - Due from IRFU Ulster Branch	0	0	0	13,446
	5,000	0	0	13,446
	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
Liabilities	Funds	Funds	2025	2024
	£	£	£	£
Deferred income	5,200	-	5,200	5,200
Other creditor - owed to IRFU Ulster Branch	29,262	-	29,262	-
	34,462	0	34,462	5,200

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on ……………. and were signed on their behalf by:

Director	Date
Director	Date

AEP RUG NV hes) D< :° ,ULSTERRugby oy NDBN Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby Rugby Foundation yearI reportendedonI reportendedon reportendedonendedonon the3131 accountsJuly 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsoJuly 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsoofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsowhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso are set whichout onispagesalso whichout onispagesalsoout onispagesalso onispagesalsoispagesalsopagesalsoalso 9-10.registeredasregisteredasas aCompanyLtd Guarantee,CompanyLtd Guarantee,Ltd Guarantee, Guarantee, for the Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner AsChantiestheChantiesthethe chanity’sActAct (Northemtrusteestrustees Ireland)youyou are responsible2008.2008. for the preparation the preparation preparation of the accountsim accordance accountsim accordanceim accordance accordance with the the It is is my responsibility to: * examine the accounts under section 65 of theChamtiesAct ® follow the procedures laid down m the general Directions given by theCommussionunder section 65(9)(b) of the Chanties Act * state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner’s report examinationThave exammedwas yourcamedcharityout accountsm accordanceas requiredwith theundergeneralsectionDirections 65 of thegivenChanitiesby the ChantyAct and my Commussionfor Norther Ireland under section 63(9)(b) of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosuresim the accounts and seeking explanations from you as chanty trustees conceming any such matters.

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Ulster Rugby Ulster Rugby Rugby Foundation yearI reportendedonI reportendedon reportendedonendedonon the3131 accountsJuly 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsoJuly 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso 2025,ofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsoofwhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalsowhich the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso the Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso Chanty, are set whichout onispagesalso are set whichout onispagesalso whichout onispagesalsoout onispagesalso onispagesalsoispagesalsopagesalsoalso 9-10.registeredasregisteredasas aCompanyLtd Guarantee,CompanyLtd Guarantee,Ltd Guarantee, Guarantee, for the

AsChantiestheChantiesthethe chanity’sActAct (Northemtrusteestrustees Ireland)youyou are responsible2008.2008. for the preparation the preparation preparation of the accountsim accordance accountsim accordanceim accordance accordance with the the It is is my responsibility to:

My role is to state whether any matenal matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

That accountng records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Chanties Act 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charthes Act 4. That there is firther information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner's statement

Ireland,Thaveabove and,completedI havein comectionfoundmy exammationno matterswith followmethatandrequirehavethe nodrawingDirectionsconcemsto ofyourm therespectattention.Chantyof Commissionthe matters (1)forto Northem (4) listed

Gareth Robmson CGMA

Belfast

31 August 2025

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Public benefit requirement

Public benefit is a legal requirement of every organisation established with charitable objectives and the directors confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit reporting on the Foundation’s benefits and achievements.

Basis of Accounting and Statement of Compliance

The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom (FRS102 – effective from 1 January 2015) including the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006.

For the financial year ending 31 July 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS102 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement because it is a small charity. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025 in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. There is no difference between the net movement in funds for the year in the statement of financial activities and its historical cost equivalent. All of the amounts in the statement of financial activities relate to continuing activities. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the preceding period. The company is a going concern. The directors do not believe that there are any factors or material uncertainties which would impact on their assessment of this.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income, when its receipt is virtually certain and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries

Report Approved by Board on:

Date: 5[th] November 2025 Signed: (Martin Pitt, Chairperson)

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