Dalkeith rugby club have added the national “community club of the year” accolade to an East region award gained earlier this year.
The award was presented at a ceremony organised by Scottish Rugby at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
A club spokesperson said: “Dalkeith aims to be an infectiously inclusive rugby club at that heart of the community, creating affordable opportunities in sport for anyone aged 2-82 years old.”
The 2023-24 season had already been a huge success with the 1st XV winning East Division Two with one of the best defensive record in the country.
“The club has seen significant growth and success at all levels of the club, surpassing 550 members and seeing significant growth in girls and ladies rugby.
“In March 2023 the club started their first women’s team in over 15 years with just four players. A year later the club has 33 registered women players and has seen significant success in their first season, reaching a national final at Murrayfield.
The club’s youth teams have also seen significant growth, both for boys and girls, through the youth system and their School of Rugby operated at Newbattle High school and led by the club Development officer.
As well as growth in player numbers the youth section has seen success on the pitch with the boys under-18 side reaching the club’s first ever national cup final as well as a further regional cup final.”
Dalkeith won the national award from a short-list of four other regional winners, criteria being not only growth and success on the pitch but affordable playing opportunities.
Club President, Jamie Simpson said: “It’s a fantastic honour for the club to win national club of the year and it recognises huge amounts of work put in by so many over not just this year but 10+ years to get to this point”
Jamie added: “Dalkeith is a club embedded in the community who work hard to create an inclusive and supportive culture and we’ve really seen that flourish this season. Everyone at the club is over the moon to get this award and be recognised at a national level.”
The club celebrated its 125th season with a senior club tour to Spain in May with 62 members travelling from both the men’s, women’s and walking rugby teams and players aged 18-60+.
Dalkeith are already preparing for the 2024-25 season and offer rugby playing opportunities from 2 years old to 80+ for all levels and abilities from as little as £1 per week.
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