A new rugby club has been established in highland Perthshire, and will compete for the first time this weekend.
The driving force behind Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club has been Steve Brown, a native of New Zealand now resident in the area.
Brown, an experienced player and coach, has been appointed team manager, assisted by Murray Trail, another Kiwi living locally.
The club has been registered as an associate member of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Members of the Management Committee include the convenor Bill Bruce, treasurer Stewart McNeish and secretary Steve Brown.
Although the club has just been formed, the players have been training together over the winter months with a view to entering seven-a-side tournaments in the 2015 season. Brown said: “We have been training very hard and have some talented players. There is tremendous spirit among the boys and we hope for some good results in the coming months.
“Our first outing will be a sevens tournament in St Andrews on 18th April followed by the Crieff and Strathearn Sevens on 24th April then Islay beach rugby on 13th June. Eventually we hope to host other teams at home.”
Steve added: “The club is initially focussing on sevens rugby because of the issues that arise when trying to continually field a full 15-a-side team, including the transport and cancellation problems that arise with a game played during the winter. Seven-a-side rugby is played in the summer and is a fast-paced, flowing game attractive to young players and spectators.”
Aberfeldy RFC hope to generate community support. To join the club as a player or social member, or sponsor the club, contact treasurer Stewart McNeish on 01887929323 or 07901661442.
Picture – the playing squad in their new strips with Aberfeldy Rotary President Richard Langrish and manager Steve Brown.