THE BRITISH
ROSS
AEROPLANE COMPANY
SUTHERLAND
ROSS SUTHERLAND
Ross Sutherland Rugby Club holds a unique
position in club sports. Based in the former naval
port of Invergordon, and as the county club for
both Ross-shire and Sutherland (hence the name!),
it has the largest catchment of any sports club
in the UK; coming in at over 13,000km² (5,000
sq.miles). To put this into context, their catchment
is the same size as Montenegro.
Understandably, running a club in an area this size
can present its difficulties but that doesn’t stop Ross
Sutherland from competing.
With over 180 kids the club has thriving mini and junior
sections, including an ever-expanding Micros section
for children in the U7’s. The U16s are the regular trophy
winners at the club having two Bowl trophies, a Cup
Final appearance and a league title in the last three
seasons.
At a senior level the club compete in a regional league,
Caledonia League 2, stretching from Shetland to
Stornoway to Aberdeen. Travel can quite literally be a
nightmare.
Last season the team got stuck in Stornoway when the
ferry broke down. A hastily arranged hotel and a long
trip down the Western Isles and over the sea to Skye
the following day before hiring minibuses to get them
back to Invergordon seems normal enough except the
entire team were dressed as their favourite animals.
Just another rugby away day!
The similarity with the Balkan state doesn’t end with
geography though. Where former Hartlepool player
David Lowe has helped rugby to become the fastest
growing sport in Montenegro, Club President Andy
Mohun and his team have taken the initiative to grow
the game at home.
With over 12,500 volunteer hours and almost 3,000
coaching hours delivered in the last year the club
were recognised for their efforts to increase sporting
opportunities for young people by Ross and Cromarty
Sports Council who presented them with their Club of
the Year award.
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