An Aberdeenshire rugby club is to help with the relaunch of its pre-season competition after a funding boost.
Huntly Rugby Club has been awarded £1,000 to spend on a weekend of fun in August and to keep the Strathbogie 10’s competition going.
The 10’s game – a reduced version of rugby with 10 players instead of 15 – is a traditional part of the sport’s pre-season preparations.
The money came from the Royal Bank Rugby Force scheme, which has boosted clubs all over the country since 2008.
More than half a million pounds has been given to clubs in funding and kit since its launch.
Huntly RC plans to create a carnival atmosphere over the weekend of August 10-11 with barbecues and games running alongside pre-season events.
The club has also been told to expect Scotland internationals – from the women’s XV side, the men and women’s sevens teams or past players – to be along to join in on the day.
Judges picked Huntly for one of the top prizes from the 130 clubs who applied for support from Rugby Force this year.
The nationwide programme supports rugby clubs by providing funding to help them attract new members, make improvements to facilities and to help clubs become more sustainable in the future.
Royal Bank of Scotland’s Malcolm Buchanan said: “2019 is set to be a thrilling year for Scottish rugby and we want to help make sure that our grassroots clubs across the country can benefit too.
“We would like to encourage everyone from club members to those thinking about getting involved in rugby to head to their local club for Royal Bank Rugby Force weekend and become part of the rugby community.”
