Blog Archives

Women's Rugby - Give it a ‘Try’!

27/6/2023

Orkney Dragons Women’s Rugby would like you to join us for a Give it a ‘Try’!
Open to all abilities, experience, size/shape & fitness levels.

WHEN & WHERE-

18:30-20:00 Mondays: 3, 10, 17 & 24 July
Pickaquoy Outfield Pitches

For further information, please contact Emma Staunton (Captain) on O7752224915 or Gary Nicolson (Coach) on O7872579850

Unfilled appointments 2023

25/6/2023

In addition to the Child Protection Officer, the following positions are currently vacant within the club:

Orkney Rugby Club requires a Secretary for its management committee. The secretary duties will include:

take the minutes at the monthly meetings,
liaise with the chairman and other committee members,
receive correspondence from the SRU and distribute accordingly,
collect information regarding referee and mascot names, KO times and venue and distribute accordingly to those involved

Orkney Rugby Club also requires a person computer literate in Microsoft Publisher to make up home match-week posters as well as match-day programmes on a Friday once team sheets are received for distribution the following day. The person must be familiar or willing to learn on Microsoft Publisher.

If you can help with either of these positions, please contact either:

Willie Stewart, Club Chairman at chairman@orkneyrfc.co.uk or O7730 795782
Gary Colthard, Club President at president@orkneyrfc.co.uk or O7745 331178

Awards Night Presentations 10-6-23

25/6/2023

We are absolutely delighted with our first ever club awards night involving all sections of the club. Despite there being a lot on this time of year we still had a tremendous turnout of 130.

Everyone enjoyed their evening and a huge thanks to Ellie for coordinating the buffet and everyone who contributed towards it.

Also thanks to all coaches for getting the votes in. A special mention to Kenny Logie for engraving well over fifty trophies and cups. Thanks to everyone who helped behind the bar, Craig Rendall and co. for the music and congratulations to all the trophy winners. Hopefully it will be even bigger next year!

Under 16 fundraiser with Orkney Riding Club

24/6/2023

The Riding Club show was held over the weekend of the 9th & 10th of June at Swartland farm Sandwick, hosted by “Rugby mum” Sharon Wylie. The Catering was provided by the “Rugby Mums" of the U16s Squad to help raise money towards their travel costs.

A Massive thank you must go to Anna Davidson who helped Sharon organise for the two day event and all the Rugby mums who help through the weekend; Isla Dougall, Helen Jonstone, Norna Sinclair, Karen Brass, Tracey Stanger and Rugby Granny Christine flett!

Also thank you to all that provided baking that couldn’t make it on the days.
We think after costs somewhere between £500-£600 was raised!

Club President Garry Coltherd commented:

We at ORFC are absolutely delighted by the effort from The riding club and all at Swartland for this tremendous fund raising event, it’s great to see funds being raised for future travel, much appreciated and thank you to everyone involved, especially Mrs & Mr Chopper!

Caithness Mini Rugby Festival Report 11-6-23

16/6/2023

Sunday 11th June 2023 brought the Orkney Rookies and Minis Rugby season to a close on a high, with a superb trip across the water to take part in the Caithness Rugby FC Mini and Micro Festival, which consisted of teams from the hosting club Caithness, Ross & Sutherland, Moray, Highland and Nairn in opposition.

Photos: Sarah Leslie

The day started with a 6:30am ferry to Scrabster, grateful thanks go to Darren McGee for organising the travel, and to ORFC for their financial support once again, keeping individual costs down for 50 children and 10 coaches heading over. With some bleary eyed travellers we were spoiled with breakfast sponsorship from Scottish Sea Farms, which was well received and set up the troops for the long day ahead, fantastic generosity from them for this.

Scotland Six Nations Tickets 2024

13/6/2023

Club members and sponsors are invited to apply for home Scotland Six Nations 2024 tickets through Orkney RFC.

Please complete the International Ticket Application Form or contact Olga Burton for more information.

The deadline for applications is Wed 16 August & successful applicants will be notified at the end of September once the club has received its allocation of tickets.

Can you help? - Child Protection Officer needed

13/6/2023

Orkney Rugby Football Club is looking for someone to join our team of volunteers as a child protection officer. This is a key role within the club. The time commitment would be roughly 2 hours a week and full training and support will be provided. The Role of the Child protection Officer is below:

The CPO role is an important one and should cover the following broad areas:

Work with other members of the club to ensure that children enjoy a welcoming, safe, friendly and helpful environment.
Ensure the club has a Child Protection/Safeguarding Policy that is available on the club website, available on request and understands the principles in the policy.
CPO name and contact details are visible in the clubhouse, on the club website and that they are visible and approachable at the club (within reasonable parameters).
Complete the relevant child protection and safeguarding training within 6 months of their appointment
CPO must be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme which links them to their club
CPO to manage the PVG Memberships within the club. Any person carrying out REGULATED WORK must have a PVG number which should be notified against the Youth Coach listed in the active coach list. (details of the PVG process follow below)
CPO should keep a record of all PVG numbers
Take responsibility for dealing with concerns, contacting the relevant people to take forward – either through Scottish Rugby Safeguarding team, NSPCC/Children 1st or Police Scotland if required.

If you are interested please contact either:

John Cairns, Club Development Officer at rdo@orkneyrfc.co.uk or O758 467 834
Willie Stewart, Club Chairman at chairman@orkneyrfc.co.uk or O7730 795782
Gary Colthard, Club President at president@orkneyrfc.co.uk or O7745 331178

If you could send a note of interest to any of the above by Monday 26th June. Someone will then be in touch by 30th June.

Fixtures announced for 2023/24 season

11/6/2023

Fixtures for the forthcoming 2023/24 season across the schools, youth and adult game have been released by Scottish Rugby.

The U18s are first up at home against Dundee Rugby on the weekend of 26/27 August while the U16s travel to play Lochaber. The Orkney 10's Tournament is on at the club the same weekend

Orkney RFC 1st XV remain in Tennent's National League Division 3 following the restructure which saw the introduction of a new National Division 4 and are joined from Division 2 by Hamilton Bulls, Preston Lodge, Dumfries Saints, Boroughmuir and Cartha Queens Park. The men's first league match is on Saturday 2nd September away against West of Scotland, while the Dragons travel up to Shetland for their first League game.
The U13/14s also get underway the same weekend with a trip to Thurso to play Caithness & Shetland

The club calendar has been updated with the new fixtures including map links to away clubs if you would like to come along and cheer on the teams.

These are also listed on the fixtures page along with a list of Scotland's Six Nations, Autumn International & Rugby World Cup match kick off times & locations.

Match Report | Orkney 2nd XV v Caithness 2nd XV 3-6-23

5/6/2023

Pickaquoy, Saturday 3 June 2023
Orkney 2nds 53, Caithness 2nds 56

The first game of the day kicked off on the picky outfields at 12 o clock with gray skies and a slight breeze.

The Orkney 2nds team showing off their new match kit kindly sponsored by The Orcadian kicked off to Caithness, after a few phases a knock on lead to the first scrum of the game.

Photo & Video - George Brown

Some strong running from the Caithness centres lead to some good field position for the visitors, a few pick and go’s from the forwards eventfully broke Orkneys defence, first try to Caithness scored by Ali Williams.

The lack of a kicking tee meant Caithness had no other option but take the conversions via a drop kick. The first conversion attempt was missed.