Boost for sporting development from Barrie Douglas Foundation

Three Perthshire sports organisations have been boosted by grants from a sporting legacy.

The Barrie Douglas Foundation was established in memory of the well-known Perth businessman and golfer who died in Spain last year after taking ill while serving as captain of the Scottish boys team.

The foundation was set up in his memory to encourage youth development across a range of sports.

Perth and Kinross County Golf has received £5,000, while St Johnstone and Perthshire Rugby Football Club were each presented with £2,500 following a successful fundraising dinner at the Salutation Hotel.

All three clubs were close to Barrie’s heart.

He served county and national golf for more than 50 years in various capacities and played for the local rugby club in his younger days.

Stuart Graham, junior convener of Perth and Kinross County Golf, welcomed the donation.

He said: “We’ve got a really good group of kids but the money will also be used to attract more youngsters into the game.

“We have many kids in the Scottish academy programme. Four from Perth and Kinross – Andrew Thornton, Jamie Roberts, Gregor Graham and Cormac Sharpe – are in the national boys’ squad.

“That’s nearly 50% from this area and just four years on from drawing up a strategy to drive forward the junior section, it shows us it is working.”

Alistair Stevenson, head of St Johnstone’s youth academy, added: “The money is much appreciated.”