Dalkeith
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Dalkeith RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
alkeith RFC is a fantastic example of the important role that a club can play in its local community . Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with their President Carol Watson to find out more about the good work that the club has been doing lately .
Involvement
She told us , “ I ’ ve personally been involved with the club since 1994 when I was watching my husband playing and was approached as they wanted to start a women ’ s team at Dalkeith . The team ran until 2006 when it unfortunately folded due to dwindling numbers , however we are currently trying to resurrect the women ’ s team at the club . Training numbers are rising so fingers crossed .
I never thought then that I would be the first female president in Dalkeith ’ s 118 year history .”
Come Along
“ Everyone has always been welcoming ; we are like a big family ! I ’ ve heard club functions described as a wedding without a bride and groom ! There is something for everyone , boys , girls , males and females , from our preschool ‘ little ruggers ’ to walking rugby for over 50s and everything in-between .”
Atmosphere
“ We are looking forward to finishing the season on a high and looking to continue that into next season . This is the time of the season when a lot of members are drawn back , with the 6 Nations filling the bar . We also hold a past players day to encourage people that have perhaps drifted away or not been around to come back and enjoy the friendly atmosphere around the club and meet new faces .”
This Season
“ We ’ ve had our ups and downs as all clubs do , falling fowl to a lot of longer term injuries to the 1st XV which then has an impact on the senior side .
We would like the 1st XV to finish in the top two and gain promotion but it ’ s very close and may come down to the wire ! Building the team for the coming season starts now and we need to keep the buzz around the club positive .”
Youth
“ Our youth is incredibly important . We have quite a few young home grown players coming through now and it ’ s great to see some of them breaking into the 1st XV . They are a credit to the club .
As we are not an FP ( former pupils ) club , it is a challenge to attract young players from the three schools in the area . We are aiming to address this moving forward . We need to keep young boys and girls interested in the camaraderie of the sport of rugby and the fitness it brings too . It ’ s a sport that has a position for anyone in the team !
Our younger players are always involved on match days , whether it ’ s helping in the kitchen with the postmatch food , or cheering on the team from the side-line .
Our mini section has numbers in excess of 80 kids and this will hopefully continue and supply our youth teams .”
Integration
“ We endeavour to have our previous U18s ( once they become available to play senior rugby ) feature in our 2nd XV team as an introduction to the senior game . They are able to train together with all senior players , and able to receive supervised guidance and fitness programmes from our senior players within the extensive gym facility the club has for our playing membership . This is always a busy facility for our seniors as the players can access it whenever it suits them .”
42 Issue 69