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Andy Ward (rugby union)

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Andy Ward
Date of birth (1970-09-08) 8 September 1970 (age 54)
Place of birthWhangārei, New Zealand
SchoolMelville High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
?-1991 Ōhaupō ()
1991-1994 Hautapu RFC ()
1994-2005 Ballynahinch RFC ()
2005-2008 Belfast Harlequins ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997-2005 Ulster 119 (95)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1998-2001 Ireland 28 (15)

Andy Ward (born 8 September 1970) is a New Zealand-born former rugby union player, who played flanker professionally for Ulster and internationally for Ireland.

Born in Whangārei, Ward attended Melville High School, where he first played rugby. He represented Ōhaupō at under-19 and senior level, and played for Hautapu for three years. He was selected for Waikato at 'B' level in 1991, and 'A' level in 1993.[1][2] before joining Irish club Ballynahinch RFC in 1994. He so enjoyed his initial six-month stint that he returned the following season, as was made club captain. The club was promoted to senior status in his first season as captain, and later to the All-Ireland League.[1][2]

After the required three years' residence, Ward became eligible to play for Ulster, and made his debut for the province in 1997. The residence rule for provincial rugby was removed not long after.[1] He was named Player of the Year and Personality of the Year at the 1998 Ulster Rugby Awards.[3] He was part of the side that won the 1998–99 Heineken Cup. He was named captain in 2001 by coach Alan Solomons.[4] He lifted the Celtic Cup in 2004,[1] and was named Supporters' Club Player of the Year in the 2004 Ulster Rugby Awards.[5] He made his 100th appearance against Leinster in 2004.[1]

Ward made his debut for Ireland in 1998, scoring a try against Wales. He won 28 caps, including playing in the 1999 World Cup, and tours to South Africa, Australia, and Argentina, the USA and Canada. He also played for the Barbarians against South Africa in 1999.[1]

Ward announced his professional retirement at the end of the 2004-05 season,[1] having made 119 appearances for Ulster.[6][7] The following season, he joined Belfast Harlequins as director of rugby,[8] acting as player-coach until 2008.[9]

In 2011, Ward became the strength and conditioning coach of the Antrim Gaelic Football team [10] He later ran a fitness studio in Dunadry, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.[11] His son Zac is an Ireland Sevens international, who won the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year in the 2024 Rugby Players Ireland Awards,[12] and joined Ulster on a trial basis in 2024.[13] Another son, Bryn, is an Ireland under-20 international[14] who joined the Ulster academy in 2024.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Gavin Mairs, "Thanks for the golden memories, Wardy...", Belfast Telegraph, 19 January 2005
  2. ^ a b "Andy Ward announces retirement", ESPN, 19 January 2005
  3. ^ Jim Stokes, "Handy Andy is tops", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 1998
  4. ^ "Ward handed Ulster captaincy", ESPN, 31 July 2001
  5. ^ "Emotional end to Ulster season", Belfast Telegraph, 21 May 2004
  6. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Ward is one of Ulster's greatest: McCall", Belfast Telegraph, 15 April 2005
  7. ^ Gavin Mairs, "Rugby: Ward of the manor", Belfast Telegraph, 9 October 2005
  8. ^ "Ward confirmed in Belfast Harlequins role", Irish Examiner, 21 February 2005
  9. ^ "Ward looking to leave on a high", Belfast Telegraph, 25 April 2008
  10. ^ "Bradley delighted to have Ward on board", hoganstand.com; 2 December 2011, accessed 17 January 2016.
  11. ^ Andywardfitness.co.uk Archived 2018-12-23 at the Wayback Machine, Andy Ward Fitness
  12. ^ "Aki And Wafer Win Player Of The Year Awards", Irish Rugby, 22 May 2024
  13. ^ "Zac Ward to join Senior Men’s team on trial basis", Ulster Rugby, 19 August 2024
  14. ^ "Murphy And Ward Making Good Strides With Ireland Under-20s", Irish Rugby, 15 March 2024
  15. ^ "Ulster Rugby Academy confirmed for 2024/25", Ulster Rugby, 14 June 2024
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