Jed-Forest named BT Club of the Month

Jed-Forest has been named BT Club of the Month for February for their impressive league form and all-round rugby offering.

The Borders club enjoyed an unbeaten in February, having not lost a league game since early September, and now sit second on points difference in BT National League 1.

Jed, working with Jedburgh Grammar School, and youth side, Jed Thistle, have a boys’ team playing at every age group with the result that the majority of their senior squad have come through the club’s set-up.

Jed-Forest President Paul Cranston said: “It’s fantastic to be named BT Club of the Month for February.

“We have had a great 2018 so far but there is still a lot of rugby left to enjoy this season in the league and on the 7s circuit.

Everyone at Jed puts in a huge amount of effort to ensure that the club remains a success and we are very proud of what our small town continues to achieve.”

Their full-time Youth Development Officer, Kevin Barrie, works with Jedburgh Grammar School and plays a key role in maintaining a high level of participation from a relatively small school roll as well as advising on and providing opportunities for women and girls to train and play.

The club have collaborated with the school to deliver curricular girls’ rugby and are now exploring the possibility of extending this offering at club training. In the minis, there are girls playing at every age group with Jed offering regular after-school sessions.

They have also united with nearby clubs, Kelso and Hawick, to ensure that women interested in playing have the opportunity to get involved.

Jed-Forest have been able to grow and develop thanks, in part, to hosting their own music festival, Riverside Rock, which has expanded in size every year since it began.

The festival moves into its fifth year in 2018 and has boosted club resources enabling them, with assistance from other funders including Scottish Rugby’s Club Sustainability Fund, to develop facilities making the club a better place to train and play.

The BT Club of the Month award celebrates on-pitch performance, discipline and rugby development.

To win, a club does not have to be the best in all three areas, but should show a successful balance, with potential for long-term growth.

Clubs receive £200 plus a 12 month commercial BT Sport subscription for their clubhouse.

Winning clubs will also be nominated for BT Club of the Season at the annual Club Awards Dinner at BT Murrayfield.

To nominate your club, a volunteer or try for the BT Awards please visit: http://www.scottishrugby.org/clubnominations.