Highland under-12s squad raising funds to get to rugby festival
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A HIGHLAND rugby team has launched a bid to get to an international tournament later this year.
Highland’s successful under-12s squad, based at Canal Park, has been invited to attend a landmark mini rugby festival with London Irish.
The team are likely to be the only one in Scotland who will attend the event.
It is taking place on April 26 at Sunbury-on-Thames, and is the biggest one-day mini rugby festival in Europe.
The festival plays host to more than 2500 children, with teams competing from England, Wales, Ireland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Debbie Thorne, whose son Kian (11) plays for the team along with fellow Milton of Leys pupil Cole Kennedy, said parents were pulling out all the stops to make a trip to the event possible for all the players.
Mrs Thorne said: “For any young and aspiring mini rugby player, this is the culmination of seasons of hard work, dedication, learning and fun. We will be the sole representatives from Scotland attending.
“Our community-run rugby club needs to raise £10,000 to help pay for flights, road travel, accommodation, food, kit, insurance and everything else.”
Mrs Thorne continued: “Ideally we would love for our players, or rather parents and guardians, not to have to pay out hundreds of pounds for their kids to enjoy this incredible opportunity.
“We always try to ensure rugby is accessible to all and everyone, whatever the circumstances. Our squad are a fantastic bunch from all walks of life, and even if we can help with the costs slightly, it just might mean that all of our players will get to go.”
* Donations can be given via www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helphighlandrugby
