Rugby Club Issue 70 | Page 42

Jed -Forest FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Rugby Club Magazine also caught up with their Club Development Officer, Kevin Barrie to find out more about the work that they do with young players in the area. RC: How long have you been involved and attracted you to the club? KB: I have been involved with the club for 30 years; I went through all my rugby career with Jed started with mini rugby coming through the youth programme through schools to Jed Thistle U18s and on to senior rugby captaining the club in 1994. I went on to coach club at U16, U18 and senior teams over 10 years. I have been employed as the development officer of Jed-forest for the past 7 years starting in 2010. Jed-forest RFC has been the attraction for all upon coming rugby players in the town and is also a big part of the community in Jedburgh. Gregor Young of club sponsor Youngs Construction LLP recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine, saying, “I have a strong family association with Jed Forest Rugby Club with myself as captain playing outside centre, my brother Lewis as vice-captain and fullback and our 19 year old brother Callum on the wing. Jedburgh is a real rugby town so we all started playing very young and came through the mini section. The club are competing exceptionally well this season in a very tough league. I would encourage the boys to keep doing what they are doing and myself, Lewis and Callum would like to wish all at the club the very best of continued success!” 42 Issue 70 RC: How important is youth rugby to the club? KB: Youth rugby is very important to the club to develop players through all age groups; mini rugby, primary school rugby, JGS S1 up to U16s, Jed thistle U18s with the aim to progress to play for the senior team. Having youth teams gives Jed-forest players an identity from a young age and lets them know the values and the history of what it means to pull on the royal blue