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PAUL UTTERSON Paul Utterson is the sponsorship Convener at Kelso Rugby Club he comes from a rugby playing family however his own rugby career came to an unfortunate and abrupt end due to a severe head injury caused by a cycling accident making it too risky to continue playing . He has been a long-term supporter of the club and kept himself involved over many years , he recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine ,
” I have always followed my brother Kevin`s career who played internationally for Scotland and for the Borders and Edinburgh Reivers and when my sons came of age , I decided to help out with some coaching completing my Level 1 coaching badge . I would encourage anyone to consider taking this coaching course as I found is so helpful particularly with the strong emphasis on child safety and how to ensure best coaching practices around such things as head injuries are vital for young people entering our sport . I coached both my boys from P1 - Angus , my eldest son who is now 16 and plays for the Quins , up to P3 and then Jack my youngest aged 14 , who now plays for Kelso High School who I coached up to P7 . Rugby has had a big influence on my life and I can see the advantages it has give both my sons too , firstly by bringing them out of their shell and then inspiring them to be part of a team while teaching them respect for themselves and others , discipline and an experience of getting knocked down and
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Jack Utterson in action |
back up again- I ’ m sure this influence will assist them out with rugby in the their lives as adults .
Having had a couple of breaks away from the club over my tenure I was asked to return during lockdown to help out and took on the role of Sponsorship Convenor . I can`t deny this has been a challenge but on the other side the generosity of our sponsors and their continued loyalty has been exemplary . As a club we are very transparent , and anyone can see we are always reinvesting our finances back into Kelso . During the pandemic , and furloughed myself , we were very often down at the club working on improvement on and off the pitch .
Kelso Rugby Club is fortunate to have such a strong and very committed and capable committee and with our location being at the centre of our community we are accessible from all directions and offer a great welcome and experience to anyone who wishes to visit or be part of us . I would like to thank all of our sponsors and all of our friends at the club for their continued support wishing everyone a healthy end to the 2021 !”
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DARREN PAXTON Darren Paxton is the nephew of Scotland International Eric Paxton . He has had a long and positive association with Kelso Rugby Club , an ex-front row player Darren currently looks after Kelso`s 2nd 1V who are competing well this season sitting just behind Melrose in their league . He recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about his long association with the club ,
” I started off as a footballer and was aware that many of my friends were playing mini- Rugby at Kelso but never got involved until primary 7 when I knew I would be playing rugby at my secondary school the following year and decided to prepare by joining the club . I have very fond memories of those days and when not playing rugby spending time with my friends eating crisps and playing pool at the club ; it was a really safe place to hang out in and parents felt the same ; you were always looked after . My rugby playing progressed to the quins and then onto senior rugby where I maintained my position in the front row usually in one of the prop positions .
My journey took me to Australia for a year in 1999 and when I returned , I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was asked to play in a senior game against Watsonians . The advice pre match from my Uncle Eric , a man of few words , who
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drove past me in the car park saying “ remember stay low in the … Scrum` , there was an expletive in their ” Darren said laughing .
“ I certainly took his advice and played a good game but my enthusiastic adherence to his advice had affected me more than I realised , and I was unable to physically get out of the car later that day !
Over the years I have helped whenever I can organise various trips more recently a visit from some Welsh friends and I suppose as I have joined the club committee this year my eyes have really opened up to the volume of effort and hard work that goes into running a rugby club . Things don ’ t get organised on their own and kits don ’ t wash themselves there is always someone there behind the scenes making things work and in Kelso`s case a small army of passionate volunteers .
This season coaching team have brought another dimension to the club with their enthusiasm Kev , Bruce and Neil Hinnigan and this has definitely had a positive impact on our second team and the club as a whole . My business Darren Paxton Plumbing and Heating are also a club sponsor now and I would like to congratulate everyone associated with Kelso Rugby Club on being chosen as `Scottish Club of The Year 2021` and wishing everyone continued success for the future .”
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