Schools’ rugby has been saved Funding aids sport projects in Clydesdale

A Lanark company that helps children, young people and community groups has come to the rescue of School of Rugby projects across Clydesdale.

Support from Loaningdale School Company means programmes operating at Biggar High School since 2014, and Carluke High since last year, will be able to continue.

These projects provide an opportunity for S1 and S2 pupils to develop their rugby, but also learn team-work, self-confidence, resilience and personal goalsetting, and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Biggar High head teacher Robert Stewart said: “The programme had proved to be very popular and successful in building pupils’ skills.”

MSP Aileen Campbell said: “There is value of the core skills learnt through the game, of determination, perseverance and reliability.”

As part of the programme, a new annual Loaningdale Clydesdale Sevens tournament was set up for P7 pupils, with the inaugural event taking place on May 16 at Biggar Rugby Club’s Hartree Mill.

The cup was jointly won by Abington and Crawford Primary Schools, with Robert Owen Memorial Primary in Lanark taking both the bowl and plate competitions.

Meanwhile, Biggar Rugby Club play host to their Big Weekend. The event kicks off on Friday evening with the Biggar Youth Farmers’ 75th anniversary ball, and on Saturday the club hosts their second Sevens tournament, with a total of 12 teams in the gents’ section and six in the ladies’.

Hamilton, Linlithgow, Peebles, Watsonians, Moffat, Red Yarrows, Kaviti Babas and Triumph for Teenage Kid Charity join Flemo’s Flyers, The Exiles, Bullbarians and hosts Biggar.

Biggar welcome Edinburgh sides Broughton, Hamilton, Liberton, Kelso and Annan in the ladies’ section.

Saturday evening is Big Band night, with Strange Brew and Nomads strutting their stuff.

Sunday morning will see the last in the club’s presentation and awards, with the mini section, before the curtain is brought down on Sunday evening with the worldfamous Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Biggar Rugby Club members are reminded that the club AGM is on Wednesday, May 30.

As always, office bearers, committee and for the first time trustees – following the club being granted charitable status – are all to be elected.

New deal School of Rugby programme leader Andy Barnett with some of the participants, receiving the cheque from Loaningdale chairman Angus Knox and Ted Gordon, accompanied by Biggar High head Robert Stewart and Peter Mcdonald, president of Biggar Rugby...