Carnoustie welcome rugby legend for 40th anniversary celebrations

Carnoustie Rugby Club are set to welcome a rugby legend to Links Parade this weekend when former Australian international, David Campese, pays a visit as part of the club’s 40th anniversary celebrations. The club will celebrate their anniversary with a Voice of Rugby dinner tonight (Friday 16 June) and an inaugural beach rugby tournament tomorrow (Saturday 17 June) in partnership with the Bill McLaren Foundation, while Campese will speak at the dinner and provide training sessions to Carnoustie’s mini and midi sections at the tournament. Campese was capped 101 times by the Wallabies and broke the then-world record for the most tries scored in test matches during the 1987 Rugby World Cup.Former Scotland captain, Andy Nicol, will also speak at tonight’s anniversary dinner and the club are looking forward to the occassion. Johnny Christie, Carnoustie Director of Youth and Golden Oldie Rugby, said: This is going to be a cracking club night and a really special event for all involved. It’s been amazing being involved with the Bill McLaren Foundation, not only have they helped us with this event but they have also given us ideas and support on developing our club, which we are truly grateful for.On Saturday, we have our inaugural beach rugby tournament where over 20 teams will play for the crown of 2017 Carnoustie Beach Rugby Champions in women’s, men’s and over 35’s categories. As well as the rugby, there will be a gin tent, beer tent, farmers’ market and a classic car show.  Johnny added: Our vision is for Carnoustie to become a rugby town and this is the first of many events to engage with the community, the town is really excited and have bought into Carnoustie Beach Rugby.  We have worked hard at putting on a first class event and the place will be rocking with Woosh Entertainments DJ’ing on the beach and local bands playing in the bar.  We have David Campese kicking proceedings off and we’re all really excited, to have him present the trophies at our end of season prize giving is amazing and he’s even committed to coaching the kids some new drills. I can’t think of a better way to end the season!Carnoustie Membership Secretary, Kathleen Edmond, said: “We planned several activities this season, with it being the club’s 40th anniversary year.We are set to host our inaugural beach rugby tournament again this year, so we wanted to go bigger by inviting David along to be involved with training our youth section and presenting club trophies.”The club are very much looking forward to meeting David and we hope he enjoys our celebrations.”Register for FREE tickets to Saturday’s event at www.carnoustiebeachrugby.co.uk