Justin Fitzpatrick and Jamie Turkington outline the session plan at the recent training camp in Milwaukee.

Justin Fitzpatrick of Ulster, has just returned from a series of highly successful rugby training camps in the American Midwest.

Fitzpatrick used the camp as an initiative to raise the profile of rugby in the Midwest region, working alongside local coaches at The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rugby Club Madison and Chicago Blaze Rugby Chicago.

Commenting, Fitzpatrick said “We knew the link between the people of the Midwest and Ireland is very strong, we were unprepared for the massive influence of the Irish in the area which made us feel at home immediately, there is huge potential for the growth of the sport in America."

Fitzpatrick said further “The trip generated tremendous goodwill and was a huge success. It was interesting to see how open the coaches were to our training methods and I am very pleased with the turnout and the standard of both coaches and players in all three areas and I am delighted to have met so many dedicated and enthused players, coaches and officials from the area."

Fitzpatrick and his team are already working on the logistics of player exchanges and was encouraged at the many players who showed keen interest.

"The high level of interest in this pilot trip has ignited the way forward for further coaching clinics to be planned. We have had some active interest from sponsors on this side of the Atlantic and we are excited at all the possible avenues this venture can explore."

The trip was endorsed by Ulster Rugby CEO Mike Reid, supported by Kukri Sports USA and sponsored by Ulster supporters’ web site The Front Row Union.