Scotland Players Pitch In At Country-Wide Club Refurbishment Weekend

Former Scottish internationalist and RBS RugbyForce ambassador Andy Nicol and provisional World Cup squad members Johnnie Beattie and Richie Vernon rolled up their sleeves as 50 rugby clubs across Scotland took part in this year’s RugbyForce weekend on the 11th and 12th of June.The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), created RBS RugbyForce three years ago to encourage communities to come together and give something back to their local rugby club by volunteering to undertake improvements to facilities.This year Waysiders/Drumpellier in Coatbridge were awarded the enhanced support package in the RBS RugbyForce 2011 nationwide community volunteer programme and received support worth£5,000 to help improve and regenerate their facilities, which included the help of Nicol, Beattie and Vernon, who were on hand building and refurbishing club-house.Nicol, said: “I’ve previously been involved in the judging process and this year’s decisions were harder than ever. The clubs really demonstrated the impact that the award would have for both the club and their community and that is integral to RBS RugbyForce.”Waysiders/Drumpellier is a fantastic example of a club that, with the kick-start this award brings, can leave a lasting legacy to their community and bring benefits for years to come.Scotland and Glasgow Warriors number 8, Johnnie Beattie, said: “Club rugby is integral to the game in Scotland and it’s good to see RBS RugbyForce help communities put something back into their local club.”Without good facilities, many clubs struggle to achieve the results they are capable of, so it is great to see a sponsor of the international game like RBS put their support behind local rugby clubs.”Richie and I put our questionable DIY skills to the test this weekend and helped Waysiders/Drumpellier put their RBS RugbyForce grant to good use and get in top shape for the start of next season. It really is a fantastic programme to be involved with and were pleased to have been invited to attend the event at the club.”Peter McCarthy, Managing Director RBS Scotland, Branch Banking, said: “We understand that Rugby is at the heart of the communities across Scotland and recognise the difference that the game can make. As a result, RBS RugbyForce is designed to benefit both the club and the local community.”Choosing a club to be selected for the enhanced support package was extremely difficult but Waysiders/Drumpellier is a more than worthy recipient. I encourage as many people support their local rugby clubs this weekend and am looking forward to attending the event in Coatbridge.”It is not only Waysiders/Drumpellier and the secondary support package winners who will be assisted in the regeneration of their facilities.RBS has supported another 50 Scottish clubs with packs that include volunteer t-shirts, funding towards DIY equipment and refreshments on the day as well as tips and planning documents on budgeting, organising resources and raising awareness for the weekend.Local branch staff members will also be enlisted to help strengthen the volunteer efforts as part of RBS’s existing community volunteering programme.Last year RBS signed a three and a half year deal with the Scottish Rugby to become the Principal Partner of the governing body, the Scotland team and the domestic and community game.To see if your local club is participating in the RBS RugbyForce weekend, visit www.rbs.co.uk/rugbyforceThe 2011, RBS RugbyForce winning clubs, chosen by the panel to receive the renovation packages are:• Waysiders Drumpellier in Scotland• Hendy RFC in Wales• Wortley RUFC in EnglandEach were awarded with RBS RugbyForce with a support package to the value of£5,000 to be used towards planned club improvements along with:• An RBS RugbyForce Plaque• 50 t-shirts for the workforce• Support material to include a manual, posters and a RugbyForce bannerSecondary support packages are awarded to:Scotland – Glasgow East, Highland, StewartryEngland (funds provided by the RFU) – Wallsend, Rugeley, Mitcham, Bristol SaracensWales – Rhos Rugby Club, Glyncoch, beravon Harlequins The Royal Bank of Scotland’s sponsorship of the Scotland representative teams is one element of the overall partnership with Scottish Rugby. As principle partner of Scottish Rugby, RBS are supporting rugby in Scotland at all levels, from grassroots activity to the national game.This wide reaching partnership gives RBS the opportunity to deliver against the commitment made in their Customer Charter, to support communities across the country. One of the many initiatives planned to help develop the game at a club level is RBS RugbyForce, a volunteer programme established to help clubs upgrade and maintain their local rugby facilities. Find out more at www.rbs.co.uk/rugby