Rugby Club ISSUE 85 | Page 69

Oban Lorne Ian MacKenzie is a fan of rugby and became associated with the club through his friendship with Hamish Matheson. He told us, “My company, MacKenzie Welding Ltd, have sponsored the club over many years. As a sponsor, we like to help the club out and are fully aware of the great service they provide throughout the local community. The club have many good members including Sandy and Hamish who have given their time and energy to grow the club into what it is today. I wish them all continued success.” HIGH QUALITY QUALITY BUCKET BUCKET REPAIRS REPAIRS HIGH THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND SCOTLAND THROUGHOUT • Engineering • Engineering • Welding • Welding • Fabrication • Fabrication • Mobile On Site • Mobile & & On Site Welding Welding • Plant Equipment • Plant & & Equipment Repairs Repairs • Suppliers High • Suppliers of of High Quality Steel and Quality Steel and Wear Parts Wear Parts • Collection Delivery • Collection & & Delivery Service Service Tel: 01866 822345 Tel: 01866 822345 Mob: 07887 774245 / 07887 428015 Mob: 07887 774245 / 07887 428015 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.mackenziewelding.co.uk Web: www.mackenziewelding.co.uk Address: Achalic, Taynuilt, By Oban, Argyll PA35 1JQ Involvement The Role Present Sandy told us, “I’ve been with the club for 36 years; I came to the area to find work after coming back from the States. I previously played for Perth Rugby Club before going overseas and the obvious thing to do when moving to the area was getting involved with the local club where it’s a great social meeting place and allowed me to get to know people in the area.” “Funding Grass roots from Green Shirts P1 to 1st XV, boys and girls, mini’s to U18, 1st XV can be a challenge. All these aspects include maintaining volunteers, the facilities and encouragement for the coaching staff. The travelling that is required to encompass all this can also be a challenge as for our gents the nearest game is around 80 miles and the biggest distant we have to travel is180 miles.” “Despite relegation we have taken that as a positive to allow a rebuild with youth coming up into the men’s and ladies senior teams. We have had a positive input from mini’s all the way up so its been a happy and successful season. It has been a transition year; the ladies did well in their league, the gents are second which is great in a new season with the new coaching team www.rugbyclubmag.com 69