Rugby Club Issue 49 | Page 77

ELLON “This should help feed the fire that is burning at Ellon and push the club onwards and upwards!” Community “Ellon Rugby has the largest catchment area in Scotland to cover for Rugby Development. We have employed one of the country’s top Development Officers Ross Finlay, taken from the Ulster set up in Northern Ireland. His work this past two years in the community has been incredible. He works with 6 large Academies and all the primary schools that feed into them. This school work along with working alongside the Active Schools Coordinators is of benefit to the whole community as he not only teaches rugby, but life skills through rugby. He is assisted by volunteers from the club who work in the community at Street Rugby events, and at schools and festivals. This season we also have a Modern Apprentice (potential Scotland U20 Matthew Emmison) who will be working alongside Ross. There is a huge financial burden on the club for this as we need to raise £10,000 a year to support this scheme, however we feel it is vital to the community and schools to maintain this. If there is anyone out there who would like to assist financially we would be very grateful and can supply a great sponsorship package in return!” Ambitions “Within the next three years, we feel that we need to move the First team up one league, back to National Rugby, while the second team needs to move up one league to compete with competitive local teams. The U18 team are now competing well in the National League, ideally with the Youth set up we have, soon the U16 will be entered into this league. As this highest level of rugby continues, it will feed down into the lower age bands and develop players there also. This should help feed the fire that is burning at Ellon and push the club onwards and upwards!” www.rugby-club.biz 77