Rugby Club Issue 47 | Page 82

THE BRITISH CAITHNESS AEROPLANE COMPANY Last season was successful with our first team winning the Regional Shield, beating Dunfermline 28-6 after extra time at Millbank on February 15. They then won a national semi-final beating Berwick 22-17 in front of a record crowd of approximately 700. We took 300 supporters to Cumbernauld (550 mile round trip) for the National Shield Final but lost 27-6 to Preston Lodge. We have a number of talented players here and Stevie Campbell our captain/openside flanker has just been voted Caledonia Div. 1 Player of the year. Caitlin Harvey (17) has played for the Scotland under 20 girls team whilst Katie Mackay(U18) was picked out by national selectors as one to watch at a sevens tournament at Kinross last weekend. In the past Rowan Shepherd won 20 caps for Scotland between 199598 whilst Kris Hamilton had 5 caps for Scotland U20’s in 2010. Lucy Millard also has 57 caps for Scotland women 82 ISSUE 47 Youth rugby is vital to the club. The nearest clubs are 100 miles away or across water (Orkney). All bar one of our first team squad are Caithness born, bred and coached and very few players move into the area. We have a full time development officer and modern apprentice to bring rugby to the community and to primary and secondary schools. We are very much a community club, being well supported by fans and sponsored by local businesses. Our clubhouse is being used for community events and activities e.g. boxercise and highland dancing. As well as this, girls’ rugby is growing quickly here. The Clubhouse is equipped with 4 changing rooms to be able to host girls’ rugby as well as boys.” Rugby Club Magazine would like to wish the club all the best for the future.