Young rugby players in Orkney secure sponsorship from the Heart of the Community

Orkney RFC’s community coach Tom Hughes (left) tests out the rugby skills of Scottish Sea Farms Orkney Regional Manager Richard Darbyshire (right) with some of the mini rugby players looking on.

Orkney RFC’S Community Rugby Project (CRP) has just received significant financial assistance of £5,000 from the Scottish Sea Farms Heart of the Community Trust.

The Orkney RFC Community Rugby Project is now in its 6th year and is still the sole sports development project operating in the Orkney Islands.  The running costs of the project is over £30,000 so this support from Scottish Sea Farms makes a huge contribution to the future development of the sport on the island.

Orkney RFC CRP provides structured non-contact rugby sessions within school time at all primary schools in Orkney, including the outlying and remote islands.  This has been achieved by employing a Rugby Development Officer and a Modern Apprentice who both work at promoting rugby and healthy living as a whole, during class time.  This promotes the sport of rugby, general exercise and, as part of the programme, they also run classroom sessions on healthy living and eating in all the primary schools.

As well as reaching the 500+ primary school children, the CRP also holds out of school sessions for all age groups from P1 through to senior rugby.  The total number of young people currently participating in rugby, whether in school or club time, throughout Orkney is approximately 900.

The project has been an immeasurable success since its inception in 2009 and holds twice annual primary school tag rugby festival which hosts 500 children.

Kevin Sutherland, Sponsorship Convenor, Orkney RFC, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, it ensures that we can provide a safe and enjoyable environment for youngsters to learn and improve their rugby skills.  We work hard to make rugby enjoyable and help the players to develop as individuals and team players, this cash support from Scottish Sea Farms is invaluable and together with support from SRU and Orkney Island Council we can continue to develop this successful work.“

Richard Darbyshire, Orkney Regional Manager, Scottish Sea Farms, said: “We are really pleased to help the rugby club as it is a true focal point for the community and it is great to see the young players develop for the future.”

Application forms for the Heart of The Community can be found on the Scottish Sea Farms website – www.scottishseafarms.com – together with full details of the criteria required.