The Community Recognition Award Winners for the Glasgow South region have today been announced.
The Community Recognition Awards are Scottish Rugby’s annual domestic game awards programme, focusing on the on and off-field efforts of clubs and schools across Scotland over the course of the season.
Award winners were announced for six categories including; Volunteer of the Season in Youth rugby sponsored by inspiresport, Volunteer of the Season in Schools rugby sponsored by inspiresport, Volunteer of the Season in Adult rugby, Young Person’s Award, Community Club of the Season, and the Community Referee of the Season…
Community Club of the Season- Annan RFC
Annan RFC have continued to grow all areas of their playing membership. During season 22/23, the player base of the club increased by an astonishing 33%, split evenly between both male and female members. They have also re-introduced their walking rugby sessions, which have attracted huge interest from the community. In addition to work on the pitch, Annan have continued to aid numerous charities and have been an avid supporter of Tartan Touch.
Over the last year, the female game at Annan has made significant strides forward. The U16 girls team was successful in lifting the National Sheild at Murrayfield in December, while two of the club’s U18 girls, Niamh Ross and Zoe Mitchell, were selected to travel to Prague in July to turn out for the seven’s U18 squad. Further to these selections, several U16 and U18 level players have been chosen to represent the West of Scotland regional squad.
The club have extended their walking rugby offering, providing more inclusion to those who want to get involved in the game. Rather than take a winter break when outside training wasn’t possible, the group has continued to train in an indoor capacity. The sessions provide the chance for people of all abilities and ages to socialise and earn the benefits of playing in a relaxed environment. The Walking Rugby Festival, run by the club, returned on February 17. Many of the participants are past players and/or those who are involved with the club at volunteer level, but it has attracted some interest from outside.
Multiple charities have benefitted from Annan RFC’s fundraising over the past 12 months. One of these charities is the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, who have received funds from several events from Annan RFC. A New Year’s Day ‘Dook’ raised £1,340, where 150 hardy souls braved the cold Solway Firth. Annan also had a participating team in the Doddie555 cycle from Cardiff to Murrayfield, while a Farmer’s Select XV Vs Stirling County match on January 2 raised even more funds for Doddie’s Foundation. Aside from rugby, Annan have also been involved in free car boot sales and have done work with local care homes. In December, players and supporters donated food items to local charities Annan Day Centre, Kate’s Kitchen and The Food Train. Supporting local organisations is fundamentally important to Annan RFC, who also allow their premises to host council meetings alongside other group meetings.
READ more at source: https://scottishrugby.org/community-recognition-award-winners-for-glasgow-south-region-announced/
