Latest news with #DalzielRugbyClub
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts rugby league player with passion for trucks hits the road with young Scotland squad
Jamie Steven was named for the under-16 international team A Shotts schoolboy has been selected to represent Scotland's under-16s at rugby league. Jamie Steven, an S4 pupil at St Aidan's High in Wishaw, travelled to Newcastle at the weekend to take part in an international tournament. Despite being a relative minority sport in Scotland, professional players ply their trade in a number of leagues across the world. Jamie, 15, is currently training with the Glasgow Rugby League club, who play in Cambuslang. The teenager has played rugby union since the age of four years old, he then joined Dalziel Rugby Club in 2017. Jamie's love for rugby came from dad Bryan who played for Kilmarnock RFC from age 14, represented Glasgow at under-16, under-18 and under-21 and also played for Scotland under-21s. Jamie moved to Kilmarnock Rugby Club in 2020 but earlier this year his dad spotted an advertisement about a rugby league trial for players in Scotland and Jamie went along with hundreds of other hopefuls. Jamie's mum Leanne, said: 'There's a guy based in Liverpool and has Scottish heritage through his parents. He just thought there was a gap here and decided that because Scotland didn't have a rugby league presence he wanted to create international teams for all age groups. "Jamie went along to the trial, there were about 300 there and they whittled it down. Eventually, he was chosen for the Scotland national squad. So he's now playing for Scotland. There's also a four-nations squad as well. 'For their age-group it's really big stuff to be out their singing the national anthem and competing in huge stadiums.' Jamie now also trains with Glasgow Rugby League as well as continuing to play rugby union with Kilmarnock. He said: 'I'm really enjoying playing rugby league, but I'm still playing both at the moment. I've also got a training session next week down in Wakefield. 'I've only been playing since just before December but rugby league is quicker than rugby union, if you tackle you can hold on for longer and there's a bit more running involved. There are scrums in rugby league but there's no pushing, so that's another difference. 'The crossover for me between the two has been fine though, it's just a few rules with tackling and things like that are a bit difficult but once you're used to it that's it." Leanne is hoping that a local business may be able to help sponsors Jamie, whose interest away from the sport is dominated by trucks. She added: 'We're just back from a truck show in Lincoln at the weekend. If it's not rugby, it's trucks. He loves everything to do with trucks and truck-spotting. 'There's a couple of big haulage companies in Shotts where we live and he's written to them for sponsorship. 'He needs money for rugby league subscriptions and insurances, and as the sport doesn't have a big presence in Scotland there is no one funding it. Everything that's happening is in England and he needs to pay for travel and accommodation. "We have bought all his kit and sponsor him with what we can and family and friends are helping, but he'd love it if one of the haulage companies would help sponsor him.'
Glasgow Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
More than 900 youth rugby players at Dalziel Park festival
Dalziel Rugby Club hosted their 33rd annual Festival of Youth Rugby at Dalziel Park on Saturday, April 26. The event is a tribute to the late Alan Calder, who started the tournament in 1991. Quickly becoming a key event on the youth rugby calendar, the event hosted players from across the UK. These included teams from Hamilton, Strathaven, Uddingston and East Kilbride, as well as travelling sides from Ulster, Sale, and Bowdon. Read more: Fostering agency celebrates major anniversary milestone Teams competed in various age groups, with Dalziel winning in the U14 boys' and girls' categories. John Mathieson, club president, said: "To see Dalziel Park packed with young talent, proud families, and passionate volunteers is a true reflection of what our club stands for. "This is our 101st year as a club – and to mark that with our 33rd festival is something really special. "The legacy of Alan Calder continues to inspire and unite people from near and far." Millburn Construction, the main sponsor for this year, was thanked by the organisers, along with other sponsors and volunteers. Read more: Special screening of Scottish football documentary to be held in Glasgow Graham Calder, festival coordinator and Alan's son, said: "We simply couldn't do this without our sponsors, and I want to give particular thanks to Millburn Construction for their outstanding support. "Behind the scenes, it's the effort of dozens of individuals – giving up their time, energy, and resources – that keeps this festival growing from strength to strength. "My dad believed in creating opportunities for every child, regardless of ability, to fall in love with rugby. "That spirit lives on here."
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dalziel Rugby Club set to host 33rd annual Festival of Youth Rugby
The highly anticipated event is set to bring together hundreds of young players from across Lanarkshire and beyond. Dalziel Rugby Club is preparing to welcome a new wave of young rugby talent as the curtain rises on the 33rd annual Festival of Youth Rugby this Saturday at Dalziel Park. The highly anticipated event is set to bring together hundreds of young players from across Lanarkshire and beyond, including local sides from Hamilton, Strathaven, Uddingston, Lenzie and East Kilbride, alongside touring teams from Ulster, Sale and Bowdon – underlining the festival's reputation as one of the premier youth rugby showcases in the UK. The long-standing celebration of grassroots sport remains a tribute to late festival founder, Alan Calder, whose vision of rugby as an inclusive and character-building game lives on through each fixture. Club spokesman Euan Duguid said: 'We're proud to once again host this brilliant event, which continues to grow in scale and stature. This weekend's festival is about more than rugby – it's about camaraderie, community and giving young players the chance to shine. 'We're delighted to welcome both returning and first-time touring teams, and we're especially pleased to see strong representation from our Lanarkshire neighbours. It reflects the strength of the local game and the enduring appeal of this event.' With more than 900 players expected to take the field across multiple age groups, the club is encouraging spectators to car share where possible due to limited parking availability. No parking is permitted on Hagen Drive, and stewards will be on hand to direct traffic throughout the day. Entry is free for children and coaches, while adult spectators are asked to pay £3 on arrival – a small contribution that helps assist with the running of the festival. A memento programme is free of charge. Euan added: 'There's something special about watching the next generation take to the pitch with pride and purpose. The festival's heart lies in its original ethos – creating an enjoyable, inclusive day of rugby, win or lose, for every young person involved. 'Thanks as ever to the families, coaches, volunteers and sponsors who help bring it all together. Saturday promises to be a cracking day out.' The day is expected to run from morning kick-off through to late afternoon, with food stalls, a club shop and plenty of pitch-side atmosphere.
Glasgow Times
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Hundreds of players set for rugby festival at Dalziel Park
Dalziel Rugby Club is preparing to host the 33rd Annual Festival of Youth Rugby on Saturday, April 26 at Dalziel Park. The festival will bring together players from across Lanarkshire and beyond, including Hamilton, Strathaven, Uddingston, Lenzie, and East Kilbride, as well as touring teams from Ulster, Sale, and Bowdon. Read more: 'I can't wait': New 'cirque spectacular' of iconic production coming to Glasgow The event is a tribute to the late founder, Alan Calder, who treated rugby as an inclusive and character-building sport. Alan Calder (Image: Dalziel Rugby Club) Euan Duguid, spokesman for Dalziel Rugby Club, said: "We're proud to once again host this brilliant event, which continues to grow in scale and stature. "This weekend's festival is about more than rugby – it's about camaraderie, community, and giving young players the chance to shine. "We're delighted to welcome both returning and first-time touring teams, and we're especially pleased to see strong representation from our Lanarkshire neighbours. "It reflects the strength of the local game and the enduring appeal of this event." More than 900 players are expected to participate in the event. With that in mind, the club has advised spectators to car share where possible due to limited parking. No parking is permitted on Hagen Drive, and stewards will be present to direct traffic throughout the day. Entry is free for children and coaches, while adult spectators are asked to contribute £3 on arrival to help with the festival's running costs. A free programme will also be available. The festival is expected to run from morning kick-off through to late afternoon, with food stalls and a club shop available. Read more: Glasgow pubs helped collect 20,500 Easter eggs for charity Euan said: "There's something special about watching the next generation take to the pitch with pride and purpose. "The festival's heart lies in its original ethos – creating an enjoyable, inclusive day of rugby, win or lose, for every young person involved. "Thanks as ever to the families, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors who help bring it all together. "Saturday promises to be a cracking day out."
