Latest news with #KevinRattray
Scotsman
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Wheelchair sport trailblazers celebrated at national sports awards
Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club have been recognised for their incredible impact on communities in Dundee and the wider area at an award ceremony celebrating the achievements of grassroots sports clubs and organisations across the UK. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Sported Awards - held in London on Wednesday 11 June - highlighted the vital role that local groups hold in transforming lives and strengthening communities. Among the winners were Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club, who went home with the Commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Award at the ceremony organised by Sported, the country's leading charity supporting the sector. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Following on from the pandemic, the club started working with Scottish Disability Sport and Scottish Cycling as the club had identified that, although cycling had grown almost exponentially amongst non-disabled people, the opportunities for people with disabilities to cycle were few and far between. Graham MacBain and Kevin Rattray being interviewed by TV presenter and Sported trustee Jill Douglas They have now established three locations across Dundee with over 80 registered participants ranging from aged 8 to aged 75. The club works in collaboration with participants and partners to ensure their support is reflective of the needs of the local community. As a result, their programmes are inclusive of children, young people and adults with physical and learning disabilities, people who have sensory impairments, as well as neurodivergent participants. Graham McBain, Dundee Dragons, said: 'I'm really thankful to Sported for awarding us this award, and for Nissan and for all the rest of the funders who help with the Sported organisation. 'The warm glow comes from seeing the faces of the people taking part in the cycling that we do. People who may have had a life-changing event and never thought they would experience the chance to be mobile in such a way as coming along and joining us in our adaptive cycling. It also gives them a chance to be socially interactive with other people alike or with other disabilities. To see the smiles on someone's face, it fills you up to know you've done something worthwhile. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kevin Rattray, Dundee Dragons, added: 'Sported has been great. We've been involved with sported for ten years and they've really helped with opportunities for funding. We're currently going through a process with a Sported volunteer to help improve governance within the club.' The awards, presented by TV sports presenter and Sported trustee, Jill Douglas, saw the club beat nominees from across the charity's nationwide network of 5,000 groups and clubs. Sported's National Manager for Scotland, Ailidh Hood, said: 'Dundee Dragons are a prime example of how a grassroots sports group isn't just getting people active but are making a huge impact on the lives of those involved and reaching out into their local community. 'They were deserved winners in these awards, and it is a tribute to the incredible work of the volunteers at the helm who go above and beyond to create a great environment in which everyone flourishes.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ceremony was hosted at the headquarters of Barclays Bank in London's Canary Wharf. The chief executive of Sported, Sarah Kaye, whose charity supports and funds over 5000 groups nationally, called for greater support of grassroots sport, insisting the list of winners are just the tip of the iceberg in underlining the immense contribution of the sector. 'Clubs up and down the country are producing astonishing impacts on their local communities and the Sported Awards throws a spotlight on how they make a difference to so many with their work,' she said. 'However, we know that the vast majority of this is done by volunteers and that not enough funding is being made available to support them in what they do, let alone help them to invest further into the lives of people in their villages, towns and cities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Without proper funding these community lynchpins are at risk. However there is an immense opportunity for government and private sector partners to invest into what they accomplish and unleash the power of these local heroes to achieve even more.' To register to give your time and knowledge to help local heroes impact their community, visit the volunteering section of the Sported website:
The Courier
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
36 photos of rugby in Perth across the decades - from school teams to Scotland greats
We have dipped into our archives to dig out some of the best action and team photographs from the Perth rugby scene. These photographs go back 50 years, from recent history to the early 1970s. Youth, high school, university and amateur levels are represented. Some teams are long gone while others have survived. Can you recognise yourself or anyone you know in these photos? Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club were joined by coach Kevin Rattray and Gemma Lumsdaine at the Fair City's Letham Centre in February 2020. GB player Gemma introduced the youngsters to wheelchair rugby. The Calcutta Cup was among the star attractions at Perthshire Rugby's 150th anniversary celebrations at the North Inch in May 2018. Thousands flocked to the park for the beer festival and rugby 7s. Perth Beer Festival is organised annually by Perthshire Rugby. A 'golden oldies' tournament for the over-35s entertained the crowds in 2015. Scotland rugby team trained at Blairgowrie RFC in May 2013. The training session took place ahead of their summer tour to South Africa. Scottish Prep School's selected five Craigclowan Form 8 boys to play against Edinburgh Barbarians in 2013. Pictured, the selected rugby players, left to right, were captain Rob Alexander, Tom Morris, Harry Stewart, Johnny Roberts and Rowan Carey. Action from Perthshire against Howe of Fife in January 2013. Perthshire were playing in red and black. The Perthshire U/18 Colts squad reached the final of the RBS National Youth League Rugby Bowl at Murrayfield in April 2012. Peebles triumphed in the final. Action from the Golden Oldies tournament at Perth Rugby Festival in 2011. It was part of the on-going celebrations to mark the Fair City's 800th anniversary. Some of the children who took part in the Rugby Rugrats class at Bell's Sports Centre in April 2011 with coach Logan McConachie. Other activities include kiddie kickers, whacky rackets and inflatable fun. Sean and his brother Rory Lamont grew up in Perth. The two played rugby together for Scotland on a number of occasions. Youngsters in action on the Aberfeldy football ground which hosted the Highland Perthshire schools rugby finals in June 2008. The Calcutta Cup was also on display. Perth Academy pupils held a car boot sale in September 2007. The proceeds were going towards the 1st XV rugby team's 2010 tour to Australia. Perthshire's Joe Hickman runs in his third try in his side's 27-7 home win over Berwick in Premier Division Three in December 2006. The winger scored a hat-trick of tries. Perthshire were celebrating in March 2006. They defeated Annan 17-16 in their final game to win the National First Division. Perthshire Rugby Club held a coaching week at Perth Academy in 2005. The rugby camp was a big success. Rugby action from Perthshire versus Caithness in November 2005. Perthshire won 22-0. Scotland's Andy Henderson is tackled by Hideyuki Yoshida during the rugby international against Japan at McDiarmid Park in November 2004. Scotland racked up a record score and won 100-8. Perthshire pupils at the Japan training session at North Inch. The youngsters watched and then took part in some fun rugby activities with the Japanese players before the game against Scotland in November 2004. All smiles at North Inch in March 2004. These youngsters competed in Perthshire Rugby Club's mini tournament. A rugby team from Brisbane visited Perth Academy in March 2004. The side from All Saints Anglican School played against Perth Academy. New rugby strips, partly paid for by the Parent Teacher Association, were given to senior pupils at Perth Grammar School in March 2004. The boys were pictured in their new kit alongside assistant coach Jim Conn (back left) and Perthshire rugby coach Sam Kaleta. Perthshire clinched the BT National League Division Three title with a 62-12 win against Helensburgh in February 2004. It was their 16th win in 16 games. The Foundry Bar sponsored Perthshire Rugby Club's Second IV. In October 2001 Gordon Brown took time out from pulling pints to present new strips to captain Andy Sinclair and vice-captain Rob Hughes. The new Blairgowrie Rugby Club was officially opened in May 2001. Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie performed the honours. Perthshire Rugby Club take a break from training at Bell's Sports Centre. Can you recognise any of the players from January 2000? Scotland rugby coach Jim Telfer was tackled by these youngsters during a visit to Craigclowan in January 2000. He was there to pass on some tips. More success for the Craigclowan School rugby team in October 1999. Does anyone know which trophy they were showing off? Rowen Shepherd, Kevin McKenzie, Dave McIvor showing off the new Caledonia Reds tops at McDiarmid Park in Perth in September 1996. The former North and Midlands team had taken on a new name. A match between Morgan FP and Perthshire in October 1992. The game was played in Dundee. Perthshire Ladies posing with new team shirts in December 1991. They were sponsored by the Half a Sixpence pub in Perth. Coaching during a summer camp at Struan in Perthshire in August 1990. The week-long camp was organised by the Scottish Schoolboys Club and Scottish Rugby Union for 140 of the most promising young players in Scotland. Youngsters at the rugby camp at Struan in August 1989. Alistair Christie and Kevin McKenzie were coaching the young players. A line out during a game between Perthshire and Howe of Fife. It took place at the North Inch in January 1975. Perthshire rugby team played Stirling County in a friendly at the North Inch. The game took place in September 1975. The Perthshire side line up at North Inch in December 1971. The club began life on its current home in January 1868 when it played its first game against the Scots Greys with around 8,000 people in attendance. It is the final image in our rugby gallery.
