Former Ulster and Ireland hero Stephen Ferris has hailed the influence of grassroots rugby in Ulster, buts says more is needed
Stephen Ferris is under no illusions how big an influence grassroots rugby can have in Ulster, but he says more support is needed to help it thrive.
Ferris points to current international centre Stuart McCloskey, who came through the ranks at Bangor and is now featuring at the Rugby World Cup with Ireland. "I have been around a lot of clubs in the province. Anyone I speak to, they are trying to get sponsorship and money through the doors. Part of that battle is retaining numbers, and attracting new players into their programmes each season.
"Are the clubs being forgotten a little bit? I don't think they are, they are just under-funded and always have been. He says he never thought of becoming a professional player when he was embarking on his early career, but says playing club rugby was a springboard to success. "The camaraderie was brilliant. Then I jumped across the motorway to Dungannon and it really took off from there.Ferris was forced to retire from rugby in 2014 due to injury, while his last cap for Ireland was back in 2012."None of them will know me! Unless you're over 20," he laughed.
He says a similar system to football scouts would benefit the game here, and help spot emerging young stars who often "slip through the net".
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