NORTH Queensland under-17s schoolboy star Declan Maguire will head to Northern Ireland in 2018 to play with the Bangor Rugby Club, a feeder team for the Ulster Rugby Union Academy.
Ulster Rugby is one of the four professional provincial rugby teams in Ireland and for Declan the move may be the first step in chasing a professional rugby career.
“It's a wonderful opportunity for me to experience a new style of rugby, even a totally new culture,” Declan said.
“I feel very privileged to be able to be given the chance to focus on playing the game that I love. Ireland is an awesome spot, I’ve watched a few Ulster rugby games and I’m looking forward to experience playing over there.”
Currently captaining the Cathedral School’s United Kingdom rugby tour, 2017 has been a breakout year for Declan. He represented the NQ schoolboys, won the under 17s grand final with Brothers and was crowned 2017 best back for his age group.
Declan was placed in the Australian Stockman Rugby Union a sports program that aims to provide development opportunities for aspiring rugby players from remote, rural and regional areas.
Stockman Rugby spokesman Shaun Mackin said the club was excited for Declan.
“He has the character and ability to succeed at the next level and has earned this shot through his dedication, performances and courage to take the risk and ask the question where can rugby take him.”
Former Queensland schoolboys coach John Rauch, said it was a great opportunity for Declan.
“Whether he succeeds at reaching the professional level or not, it’s the opportunity that’s important and it’s up to him to make the most of it, if he’s in that academy world it will be a pretty high standard,” he said.
Mr Rauch, who coaches Declan at Townsville’s Cathedral school and at Townsville Brothers spoke highly of the rugby prospect. “He is a talented footballer, I think he will rise to whatever standard he plays at, he has a great attitude and he is a good leader with the respect of his peers.”
Mr Mackin said Bangor Rugby Club was a great community club, and was closely linked to the Ulster professional system.
“There are a lot of people in Bangor RFC who will look out for Declan, and integrate him into what is going on,” Mr Macklin said.
“Depending on his performances and ability he may spend some time with the Ulster Academy straightaway, but that's up to the rugby guys over there. We feel very privileged to be involved in this and can’t wait to see where it leads. There are a lot of talented sports people in Australia’s country area’s we love connecting them with developmental opportunities like this one.””
Declan said he owed a massive thank you to Bangor Rugby union, Ulster Rugby Union and to Australian Stockman Rugby Union.
“Something like this is a great idea for country players who want to play overseas,” he said. “I’ll head over early next year, with school finished at the end of this year, I’ll focus on my rugby and aim to put some size on in the off-season.”
Declan will travel to Northern Ireland in May.