An Angus sports charity set up to develop people through rugby is enjoying more success by helping a 16-year-old Edzell girl realise her dreams on and off the pitch.
Niamh Pert was one of the founding members of the Rugby Academy launched by the Strathmore Rugby Club Community Trust in 2017 to coincide with a change to the school curriculum which brought in a district-wide Friday half-day for the area’s secondary pupils.
The academy runs free sessions for S1-S6 pupils from the Forfar, Kirriemuir and Brechin areas on Friday afternoons during term-time with the objective of developing them as individuals as well as players.
Alongside playing the game, they receive coaching in life skills such as nutrition, cooking, communication, first aid and yoga in the Stracathro Estates-sponsored initiative.
Niamh got involved through a friend and has gone on to play for the Caledonia Midlands girls’ development select. She also helps run the trust’s groundbreaking autism-friendly rugby sessions for primary children launched last year.
The teenager’s career ambitions lie in physiotherapy and she is also hoping to use her rugby connections to realise the dream of going to New Zealand to work and play rugby for six months between school and university.
Niamh said: “It’s given me loads of opportunities I wouldn’t have had, including qualifications such as my UKCC Level 1 coaching in rugby, first aid and refereeing and work experience. I’ve learned and improved loads of other skills which will help me throughout life.
The trust has also recently appointed Maggie Lawrie as its new community project co-ordinator.
Maggie is well known as the founder of Tri Angus Ltd, which organises successful triathlon events in Montrose and Forfar each year.
Maggie said: “I’m excited to be part of such an ambitious organisation. The projects which are currently running provide Angus residents with loads of opportunities to develop through rugby. I’m looking forward to growing these and looking at what else can be done in the future.”
Trust chairman Stuart Gray said: “The trust is in a great place – with our projects running well and grant funders supporting our vision.”
