A JUSTGIVING page has been set up to help get Stirling County’s U15s rugby team on tour in France in April

Head Coach Joseph Crozier set up the page which is hoping to raise £1,500 for the trip

Writing on his JustGiving page, Joey said: “We have a large squad with players from all around the Stirling area and as far afield as Crieff, Dunfermline, Linlithgow and Kilearn.”

He continued: “To help the boys develop both their rugby skills and their personal life skills we organise an annual tour to France for the U15 age group and this year is no exception.”

Adding: “These tours allow players to grow as individuals, build lifelong friendships, develop social skills and gain an awareness of the world around them which we know will be of benefit throughout their lives.”

Coaches plan to take 40 under 15s players to the famous rugby playing towns of Toulon and Lyon. This will involve various matches against local and regional clubs, along with cultural experiences and activities for the players.

To assist the fundraising effort, on 27th January the team completed a 12-hour sponsored cycle using exercise bikes at Stirling County RFC.

The team ‘cycled’ just over 1,200 miles from Stirling County RFC to the Stade Mayol in Toulon.

As well as the sponsored cycle, players have been fundraising through car washing, bag-packing, raffles, selling burgers at First XV games, and manning the turnstiles and shaking buckets on match days.

Donors left messages of support on the JustGiving page. One wrote: “Enjoy the experience of playing in the south of France away from frost and cold and mud!!”

Another said: “Looking forward to hearing the outcome of the Birch vs Rix battle.”

At the time of writing, the JustGiving page had reached £325 of its £1,500 target.

To support the appeal, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/u15-tour-to-france-2018