We Want To Be The Best At All Levels In Scotland’

The RBS Club of the Month for November has secured a place in RBS Premier A, their women’s team have stormed to the top of RBS Premier 2 and their work establishing a strong youth, coaching and development set-up continues to grow.It is these attributes that see Stirling County win the monthly accolade, plus the£1000 cash prize to help them pursue their goal of being the best club in Scotland, at all levels. Stirling County President, Ray Mountford, said: “After a difficult start to the season it has been a fantastic achievement for the club and players to reach the halfway stage in fifth place in RBS Premier 1.”In our last three league games we achieved three good wins against the clubs representing Scotland in the British and Irish Cup (Currie, Ayr and Melrose).”We look forward to the second half of the season with optimism. Our ladies and youngsters continue to show promise at women’s and age grade levels, respectively, further cementing our aspiration of being the best club in Scotland for development at all levels.”Thank you to Scottish Rugby and RBS for this recognition and award.Stirling County boasts teams at all age groups from micros to under-18s, first and second XV’s, women’s team and a social outfit, Bridgehaugh, most of whom won the majority of their games in November. This success was complemented with exemplary discipline as not one player was awarded a yellow or red card. In terms of growing the game at grass roots the club, along with Scottish Rugby and the University of Stirling, funds a development officer, Millan Browne, who works in the local schools. Millan is also supported by Modern Apprentice, Craig Robertson.Together Browne and Robertson deliver a range of rugby in the region for all age groups:Browne is the head coach for Stirling University; He delivers sessions focused on the key national themes, strength and conditioning, tackle technique and scrummaging from  under-15s up to the senior team; He started an eight week rugby programme which involves young people in P6 and P7 with behavioural and confidence issues in the Raploch area of Stirling last year. Five of the twelve youngsters involved last year now play with Stirling County with another twelve being coached this season as well as a further 18 taking part in a similar programme in Cornton Primary School. This programme also links in with the Wallace High School, School of Rugby; Together they deliver sessions to Wallace High School and Dunblane High School as well as the majority of primary schools in the area. Furthermore, County’s head coach Graeme Young is qualified to UKCC level 3, two stages above the average qualified coach in Scotland.Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “Well done to Stirling County for winning the third RBS Club of the Month Award.”The hard work and commitment that the volunteers and players put in to achieve their success is commendable.”