Schools' Cup final - Rugby Club will benefit from schools' progress

THE impact of Ballymena Academy's success in reaching the Schools' Cup final is likely to have a positive knock-on effect for the town's rugby club.

That is the view of Eaton Park chairman Ray Buchanan who believes that ongoing work at improving relations between local schools and the club will have long-term benefits for the club.

"We now have strong links with both Ballymena Academy, thanks to the presence of John Andrews who is our club coach, and also now with Cambridge House, thanks to the involvement of some members of their rugby development committee.

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"We now have a relationship with the schools which I have searched for for a long time.

"That is the way forward for Ballymena Rugby Club rather than bringing in southern hemisphere players who maybe don't live up to expectations and we are very fortunate to have John's knowledge of the schools' rugby scene to draw upon.

"Ballymena Academy reaching the Schools' Cup final is a big, big boost for rugby at all levels in the town and everyone within the rugby club wishes them every success," added Ray.