A beautiful sunny day, BBQ’s, music, cheer leaders and a full Forrester youth section along with families and friends made for an excellent morning of rugby development. The P1-P7s were set up for games and training on the practice area along with the Royal High Cougars whilst the U14s kicked off on the main pitch. All the coaches coming together to develop the players and provide the fun filled atmosphere that is Rugby.

Forrester Director of Rugby & Trustee of Forrester React 2 Rugby, Bill Smith said, ‘What a wonderful day of rugby! The club members and community coming together and developing throughout rugby whether on the park or parents making new friends is why I put so much effort in. Let this event be the beginning of a new era of rugby at Forrester. With everyone backing the club, playing for each other, cheering for each other and working together’.

The U16s and U18s took part in a training session with guest coaches, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Scotland 7’s, Edinburgh Rugby, Heriots, and former Forrester player) & Dougie Dingwall (playing at Forrester and moving onto Currie, Dougie came back to play then coach the seniors of Forrester RFC for 4 years).

Dougie commented, ‘It’s a pleasure to be invited back to Forrester time and time again. With all the effort being put in by its volunteers the club is moving onward and upward’.

Everyone came to watch the history in making along with Scottish Rugby President, Alan Lawson, and his wife Linda. Their attendance was a fantastic privilege to have at the Grassroots game.

Alan Lawson said,’ Many thanks for your very kind invitation to both Linda and I to attend your terrific day of rugby on Sunday -full marks to all of your committee including Glen, John and Bill, coaches, players, mums and dads, and all your members that turned out to be part of the celebration.’

Linda Lawson is the daughter of Bill McLaren, the ‘Voice of Rugby’. She was positively enthusiastic about the whole day and remarked, ‘had my father been alive he would have been proud of what was happening that day. What Forrester Rugby Club and FR2R are doing replicated what he did for the youth of Hawick'.

It is a great thought to have the daughter of the great Bill McLaren enjoying the commitment and effort put into Forrester Rugby Club.
Alan also said, ‘it was very uplifting to see so many people from the community enjoying the fun and friendship you offer as a club’.

A great commitment was put in by everyone who has a part with Forrester RFC, the event bringing us all together. A special thanks to all our ladies who help at our youth events. Big thanks to RHC who came along for some competition and share the event with us. Also a thank you to Lil with her effort put into the clubs beautiful garden.

With this event came some costs which were covered by Activcity, many thanks to you for sponsoring our event and with the help of providing banners, flags etc. Activcity provide help to a lot of clubs and we are grateful to be one of them.

Forrester RFC has always been a welcoming club, open to new members and players. We hope to have more parents enjoying the facilities whilst their kids play and train. It’s a great place to socialise.

Club Development Officer, Gavin Sisson said, ’I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. Growing up at the club along with many of the senior players and members it’s been a dream come true finally having our “home” pitch back. The commitment put in by our volunteers is outstanding and the club wouldn’t be where it is today without them. I thank them for all their effort and they have my full respect for what they do.’

Forrester relies on its members, players, parents, and especially its volunteers. These people give up their time to help the club and their community. With them and our players they will take Forrester forward.
Gavin continued, ‘Forrester is a small club, but we have the biggest heart. The commitment and passion that goes into the club is priceless'.

Forrester Rugby Club is home to many players, parents and members. It is home to the people that want to have a good time and enjoy rugby. It is home to smiling faces, with loads of passion. It is home to people with green blood coursing through their veins. We respect each other and we respect rugby.

This is our club....Green Blood