orkney
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Youth
Integration
“We have had a Rugby Development Officers post in the Islands
for 6 years and this has allowed Rugby to be put to the 17
primary schools and 2 secondary schools which has raised the
participation levels of Rugby.
The Club would still like to see more of the boys and girls that
have experienced sessions at the schools come to the Club
sessions but that may be a common theme with many Clubs and
we are looking into making it happen.”
“Our senior squads (men’s and women) are always keen for the
U18 players to move up into the senior ranks. Many have done
this and enjoyed competing there. However, one thing that is
noticeable is that many of the youth players will head off to
universities and colleges on the Scottish mainland and cannot
then travel home at weekends to play for their teams.”
Community
“Our Club is very much a community one. Orkney has a
population of 21,000 and they don’t all live in one area. They are
spread throughout various islands so we try to make sure
the RDO visits them and that we also set up training
sessions in satellite venues so that parents don’t
have to travel so far with their children.
This model works well as the Dounby
and St Andrews youth sections can
have some good local competitions
among themselves and the Kirkwall
section.”
Challenges
“Finances are always going
to be at the forefront of
the Clubs activities so the
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