Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
ROYAL BANK HELPS CLUBS GET RUGBY READY
Royal Bank Rugbyforce help Scottish youngsters stay on the pitch
This year has reinforced the importance of sport and activity for a life better spent and Royal Bank Rugbyforce has supported community clubs to keep on playing.
The muddy kits, dirty knees and smiling faces of kids running around a rugby pitch is a welcome distraction in 2020.
The grassroots initiative run by Royal Bank of Scotland in association with Scottish Rugby is designed to help clubs up and down the country to attract and retain members, develop their facilities and be more sustainable for the future.
Challenges posed by the pandemic made the support of Rugbyforce even more welcome.
Each year, clubs across Scotland can benefit from funding, new kit, guest appearances and expertise.
In 2020, two Hero Clubs were chosen – Jedforest RFC and Loch Lomond RFC – each picking up
£1000 prize funds and support for a “return to rugby” event.
Community events at each club remain on hold, but it hasn’t stopped them going from strength to strength.
“On the back of being allocated hero status, our mini’s section has seen a massive upsurge in children starting to play rugby in Jedburgh,” says David Mckay, Jed Mini’s Convenor.
“We’ve had a 15 per cent increase in player registrations within the junior members section and we
Having a ball: Youngsters at Loch Lomond RFC are put through their paces now have almost 100 boys and girls rugby, which we hope will see players playing rugby every Sunday. transition through all elements of the
“This is particularly important club game. given that very few sports are able to “Royal Bank Rugbyforce helps open their doors to children at this support this commitment and, time due to the Covid crisis.” collectively, we are doing our best
David says the funds, tools and to increase player self-confidence, expertise that Rugbyforce brings to promote wellbeing, team effort and grassroots rugby is a massive boost at togetherness at Jedforest.” such a difficult time. Unable to welcome Scotland
“In the Scottish Borders, rugby is international players to visit this year, the main sport – the rugby following both clubs were delighted to meet is huge and in Jedburgh there’s a real Blair Kinghorn, Stuart Mcnally and community spirit that we’re keen to Emma Wassell online during a Zoom preserve. call.
“Our club is focussed on giving They’ve also had personal video players a fun and safe introduction to messages of support from Scottish internationalist Fraser Brown and Scotland captain Stuart Hogg, which they can use to encourage more young players to sign up and take part in rugby.
“The social media and public exposure that Royal Bank Rugbyforce brings to grassroots rugby is immensely important, especially at this time,” added David Mckay.
“It further boosts our club’s profile and hopefully encourages more children to play rugby.”
Iain Norrie, the club captain at Loch Lomond, agrees: “Being able to play and remain involved in sport has been massively beneficial for our kids’ physical and mental health this year.”