Megan Shaw, 18, has become the first player to come all the way through from the Leith Hawks mini rugby section to the senior women’s side.
Megan, whose red hair singles her out in the attached action photo, made her debut in Leith women’s final fixture of the season against Dundee Valkyries 2nd XV.
The Leith women’s XV was formed two years ago.
In further good news for the Academy Park club Aidan Morrice was named East Region Young Person of the Year sponsored by inspiresport at the annual Scottish Rugby community awards.
Besides playing Aidan has been carving out a career as an up-and-coming referee.
Also, long serving club president Jim Smith and wife Margaret were on hand to receive recognition as “Volunteers of the Year” from the Bill McLaren Foundation which fosters youth rugby in the name of the late rugby commentator, at a separate function in Edinburgh during the Six Nations Championship.
On three occasions each year the Leith Club run festivals for 12 local primary schools involving 500 youngsters.
The next one, promoted by the Bill McLaren Foundation, will take place on Thursday, 3 April, at Academy Park with both morning and afternoon sessions.
Jim Smith says: “The idea of the festivals is to give as many local youngsters as possible a flavour of rugby largely under the direction of mini rugby organiser, Alex Bowman.
“As for the award it was totally unexpected. We couldn’t have done as much without the support of other volunteers at Leith Rugby.
“Our thanks also go to The Bill McLaren Foundation for recognising the role of Volunteers and creating this award. They do a tremendous amount to fund youth rugby and indeed youth sport in Scotland. Their support of our own Youth side has been tremendous.”
Other local community award winners:
Volunteer of the season in Youth Rugby sponsored by inspiresport – Ritchie Somerville (Boroughmuir).
Volunteer of the season in Adult Rugby sponsored by inspiresport – Richie Gallacher (Dunbar).
Community Match Official of the season sponsored by Arnold Clark -Graham Hogg (Boroughmuir).
Young Persons Award sponsored by inspiresport – Ruiraidh Porteous (Bo’ness).
Community Club of the Season sponsored by Arnold Clark – Preston Lodge and Linlithgow.
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
