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Zac Ward

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Zac Ward
Ward during Ireland's 2024 Summer Olympic quarter-finals
Date of birth (1998-12-11) 11 December 1998 (age 25)
Place of birthBallynahinch, County Down
SchoolDown High School
Rugby union career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024– Ulster ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2024 Emerging Ireland 2 (5)
Correct as of 9 October 2024
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2021–  Ireland
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Ireland
European Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Kraków–Małopolska Team competition

Zac Ward (born 11 December 1998) is an Irish rugby union player.[1] He represents Ireland internationally at Rugby Sevens, and joined Ulster on a trial basis ahead of the 2024–25 season. He is the son of former International Andy Ward.

Early life

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By 2004, Ward was already playing age group rugby in Ulster.[2] He attended Down High School,[3] and Hartpury College.[4]

Career

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In November 2021, Ward was called up to the Ireland Sevens squad for the World Rugby Sevens Series event in Dubai.[5] In May 2023, Ward featured as Ireland finished sixth at the World Rugby Sevens Series event in London.[6] Ward was then selected for the Ireland squad for the 2023 European Games held in Kraków in June 2023.[7] Ward played with in the final against Great Britain, with Ireland winning gold in the tournament and therefore qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.[8] In May 2024 he won the Men's Sevens Players' Player of the Year in the Rugby Players Ireland Awards.[9]

In June 2024, he was confirmed in the Irish squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[10] In August 2024 He joined Ulster on a trial basis until the autumn international window.[11]

Personal life

[edit]

He is the son of former rugby union International Andy Ward and was born during his father’s triumphant 1998–99 Heineken Cup campaign with Ulster Rugby.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Control_. "Zac Ward – Team Ireland". Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. ^ "Andy Ward: Time for Zac to take the centre stage". Belfast Telegraph. 19 April 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ^ Ward, Tony (22 January 2016). "Inst hit a rich vein of form as they chase back-to-back Ulster titles". Independent.ie. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ "The season starts early for no less than 12 Hartpury connections named in Singha Premiership 7s squads". Hartpuryrfc. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Four Ulster players named in Ireland Sevens squads ahead of World Series return". Belfast Telegraph. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Ireland Men End World Series With Sixth Place Finish In London". Irish Rugby. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  7. ^ "Ireland Men Begin Olympic Qualifier With Brace Of Wins". Irish Rughy. 25 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ "European Games: Ireland sevens beat Great Britain 26-12 in final to qualify for 2024 Olympic Games". BBC Sport. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Aki And Wafer Win Player Of The Year Awards", Irish Rugby, 22 May 2024
  10. ^ "Ireland Sevens Squads Confirmed For 2024 Paris Olympics". Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Zac Ward to join Senior Men’s team on trial basis", Ulster Rugby, 19 August 2024
  12. ^ Mairs, Gavin (6 May 2004). "Ward passion for Ulster runs deep". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2023.