Minis return is now in sight
Rugby could be back on the agenda later this month in Callander.
Mclaren RFC are getting ready to welcome children back to mini rugby in late August and early September.
Recognising that the pandemic may have had an effect on family finances, the club has decided that membership fees for season 2020-21 will be by donation and members are invited to pay what they can afford so that rugby remains accessible to everyone.
Mclaren Minis welcome girls and boys from P1to P7. No experience is necessary – all coaches are Sru-qualified and Pvg-checked and are committed to helping children enjoy sport in a supportive and safe environment. The club are currently working with the Scottish Rugby Union to finalise the necessary Covid-19 safety measures to get the children back playing and full details will be available on the club website www. mclarenrfc.com soon.
The club meets at Callander Primary School playing fields on Saturday mornings.
More details on mclarenrfcmini@gmail. com
Taylor Mackenzie is focused on slow progress as the Stirling-born racer prepares for the start of the British Superbike season this weekend.
The 27-year-old returns to the BSB grid with Synetiq BMW at Donington Park where he’ll go head-to-head with younger brother – and best pal – Tarran.
However, despite being the older rider, Taylor - who is battling a knee injury - admits that he expects Tarran to come out of the opening weekend of the delayed season as the top Mackenzie.
He told the Observer:“taz had a good year last year and he’s in a prime position to be challenging for the championship, so he would be the favourite.
“I’d be disappointed for him if he wasn’t in that position.
“I’m the older brother but I’ve had a couple of years out of BSB so I need to come back in and build up slowly.
“I don’t want to go chasing a win at the first race and making silly mistakes. I want to be patient and build up, then hopefully as the season goes on we can be there fighting for wins.
“That’s what I’m there doing and that’s what I enjoy doing. I didn’t want to get back into superbikes and not be on a competitive bike. I’m confident in myself, confident in my team and confident in the bike I’ve got that we can be right up there.”
For dad Niall, a veteran of 250 grand-prix races, seeing Taylor finally getting an opportunity at the pinnacle of British racing with a top team is something that means a lot.
He added:“i’m particularly happy for Taylor because he’s always deserved to be with a proper team on a proper bike in BSB.
“We’ve always brought sponsorship to teams and then we’ve had bad luck, so he’s had to go back to square one and make it all happen himself again.
“At the end of last season TAS BMW came to him and asked him to ride for them.
“It’s nice not having to bring a sponsor to the team. They want him and will be paying him to ride because they see him as a contender.
“He’s had to work really hard to make it happen and he’s shown a really tough mentality to get to this stage.
“He’ll say if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger, because he’s had to deal with people telling him that for about four years.
“His luck is just typical that as soon as he got something sorted the sport was shut down for five months.
“It’s very satisfying though seeing him with this opportunity though.”