Promotion denied but club rises to help throughout community
Bannockburn were second in the league when the pandemic caused the suspension of rugby in March with an exceptional run of form meaning promotion looked certain.
And then lockdown happened, the season brought to an end prematurely.
The right decision, no doubt – but a painful end nonetheless and suddenly, the players - so used to the rough and tumble of weekly rugby matches - had seen their efforts declared ‘null and void’.
Zoom fitness replaced training, but it just wasn’t the same. Nothing could replace the physical and mental fulfilment earned through rugby.
Rather than feel sorry for themselves, Bannockburn RFC mobilised and in the first few weeks of lockdown, players and coaches helped the community’s elderly and vulnerable with shopping and medicine runs, befriending and welfare checks. The players and coaches would go on to respond to more than 560 calls for help, covering 5200 miles in 2020.
Giving back became Bannockburn’s raison d’être. Efforts were often spearheaded by Director of Rugby Jimmy Samuel, with coach Nick Martin coordinating the volunteer response.
“I had an entire club full of guys who were used to being active, and suddenly they weren’t,” Jimmy explained. “Getting the lads motivated and giving them something to focus on was just as beneficial to them as it was to our community.
“The pandemic has really shown how being part of a club can help your mental health and get you through the tough times.”
The fundraising kicked off, too. NHS Forth Valley, the Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland and the club’s charity partner for the season – the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – all benefited from thousands raised over the year. Socially distanced charity runs, a Christmas raffle and a club calendar were the fundraising vehicles.
In the weeks before Christmas, Bannockburn members organised a can drive for a local food bank – nearly 200kg of food, nappies and other items was collected and donated to food bank Start Up Stirling.
Now, Bannockburn members are finishing off a remarkable year of fundraising and community work by volunteering manpower to Stirling’s Christmas Cheer project, helping to set up to serve food to Stirling’s homeless and vulnerable over the festive season.
By the end of the year, the club will have raised nearly £5000 for good causes. Almost a quarter of a tonne of food, nappies and useful items will have been donated to food banks and those in need.
While 2020 tried its hardest to force people apart, the general feeling around Bannockburn’s rugby community is that they have never been closer.