Mark Carrick, Author at Ayr Rugby Football Club : Page 2 of 2

SANTA DASH CHEQUE PRESENTATIONS

Ayr sporting groups got together last year to organise the 2023 Ayr Santa Dash which took place on Sunday the 17^th of December.

Working together, Ayr Rugby Club, Ayr United & Ayr Cricket Club encouraged their fanbase and the wider community to take part and raise money for local charities and organisations.

Despite the biblical rain, the dash was a great success with over two hundred Santa’s making the treacherous journey from Millbrae to Somerset Park.

The headline charities were The Ayrshire Hospice, Ayrshire Cancer Support and Whiteleys Retreat who benefited from a share of the entry money. Thanks goes to the event sponsor Shoot Soccer plus the many volunteers who marshalled the road crossings in terrible weather.

The organisers hope this year’s event will be even bigger with a return fixture from Somerset Park to Millbrae.

Ayr Rugby Club Chairman, Brian Williamson, said,

“In the last year, sporting clubs in Ayr have started working together to encourage community and togetherness. These fun events give people the ability to raise funds for what is important to them, be it a charity, a local organisation or a sporting group or team. The entry money raised £900 for the headline charities and over £10,000 was raised by runners for their charities. We were amazed and delighted by the turnout and intend to make it a bigger affair this year.”

Cheque presentations

Brian Williamson (Ayr Rugby Club)

Martin Tocker (Ayr United)

Ross Mitchell (Ayr Cricket Club)

Elaine Thomson (Ayrshire Hospice)

Nicola George (Ayrshire Cancer Support)

Gillian McNeilly (Whiteleys Retreat)

by Mark Carrick

WALKING RUGBY

Walking Rugby takes place every Monday Morning at Dam Park Stadium:

Join us every Monday at 10 am for a revitalizing experience that combines fitness, camaraderie, and a good old-fashioned catch-up over tea and coffee! Our Walking Rugby sessions at Dam Park Stadium are designed for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience level.

Discover the joy of staying active in a friendly and inclusive environment where the emphasis is on fun and social interaction. Walking Rugby is the perfect way to stay fit and healthy while enjoying the game at a leisurely pace. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a complete beginner, you’re welcome to join our diverse community.

The beauty of Walking Rugby lies in its simplicity – it’s a low-impact, accessible version of the traditional game. You’ll experience the thrill of the sport without the intensity, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a different approach to exercise. Plus, the inclusive nature of the game ensures that everyone, regardless of their fitness level, can participate and enjoy the benefits.

After the invigorating session on the pitch, we invite you to join us for a delightful catch-up over tea and coffee. This post-game ritual is more than just a time for refreshments; it’s a chance to forge new friendships, share stories, and create lasting memories. Our vibrant community values the connections made off the pitch just as much as the action on it.

So, get on your kit and head to Dam Park Stadium every Monday at 10 am. Whether you’re looking for a new fitness routine, a social outlet, or simply a way to unwind, Walking Rugby has something for everyone. Embrace the camaraderie, enjoy the exercise, and relish the post-game chats with a warm cuppa in hand. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Walking Rugby family!

For more information or enquiries, email: info@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk

by Mark Carrick

CLUB STATEMENT

With the SRU announcement disbanding the Super Series it seems a good time to reflect on everything else happening at Ayr Rugby Club.

Preparation has started for the Ayrshire Bulls as they look to defend their Sprint title with the first game scheduled for the 19th of April. We have 4 home games to look forward to, 2 of which are being broadcast live.

As has been well documented our 1st XV completed the return to the Premiership and we are very excited to be back competing for the title we last won in 2019. Our ambition will, as always, be to win the title and be recognised as the top club in Scotland.

Key to the success of our 1st team is the depth of our second XV. Competition for selection has never been as good as it is and the 2nd XV are still pushing to gain promotion this season.

Our Ladies team is another success story with the play offs starting this Saturday away to Dundee as they push for promotion to the Premiership. The success of the Ladies team and number of players getting involved has allowed us to field a second team this season, for the first time ever.

The youth section at Ayr has always been vibrant for boys and girls and it continues to produce players challenging for representative honours at various age group levels. As part of our vision to further enhance our player development we are in the final stages of launching our SRU Accredited Youth Academy in conjunction with University of West of Scotland. This will be based at UWS Ayr campus and our newly acquired Dam Park Stadium.

It is also exciting to announce that the well documented major redevelopment of Millbrae is very close to starting and will ensure our ambition on and off the field is unparalleled.

The goal posts may have been moved again, but we remain focused on the progress of Ayr Rugby Club and the community around us.

by Mark Carrick