Stirling County celebrated their junior rugby achievements of the past season, at their Annual Midi Rugby Awards Dinner held at Bridgehaugh on Friday 22 May.

Stirling County celebrated their junior rugby achievements of the past season, at their Annual Midi Rugby Awards Dinner held at Bridgehaugh on Friday 22 May.

Players, coaches and officials from S1, S2, Under-15s and Under-16s attended their end-of-season event, along with the P7 players who will move up from the Club’s mini rugby section next season.

This was another highly-successful season for the Club at Midi age-grade level, with County’s Under-16s finishing Joint National Youth League Cup holders and runner’s up in the Under-16 National Youth League, while the Under-15s won a Caledonia League and Cup double.

County’s S1 and S2 teams competed against teams from across Scotland and beyond with many notable victories.

Each age-grade team’s Head Coach reviewed their squad’s season achievements and made the awards for the ‘Most Improved Player’ (as selected by the coaches) and the Player of the Year (as voted for by the players), as follows: S1: Most Improved Player – Andrew Richmond. Player of the Year – Euan Cunningham.

S2: Most Improved Player – Sam Dickson. Player of the Year – Brian Tean.

U15: Most Improved Player – Derek Sneddon. Player of the Year – Euan Clark.

U16: Most Improved Player – Fraser Gallagher. Player of the Year – Connor Clarke.

County’s Under-15s gave a presentation on their Easter tour to south-west France where they competed in the prestigious Orthez Tournament. The Ian McNeilage Memorial Trophy was presented to Morgan Bown (Under-15).

Club President Kevin Robertson who hosted the awards evening, reflected on the youngsters’ success.

He said: “the future of rugby at Stirling County looks very bright with so many talented young rugby players developing their skills through all the junior age groups at Bridgehaugh.

“County are rightly recognised as having one of the finest junior rugby development set-ups in the country, demonstrated by the high standard of play and success of our age-grade teams, and the number of players who go on to play at the highest level in club rugby, with the opportunity to progress to professional and international teams. Stirling County will continue to build on our successful ‘Rugby Academy’ approach, as we invest in the future of our sport.

“I would particularly thank all the junior coaches, team managers, volunteers, parents and sponsors for their support and efforts, and to the players for their enthusiasm and commitment - I am sure all are looking forward to next season.” Meanwhile, the club’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 11 June at 7pm in the Clubhouse at Bridgehaugh Park. All members are invited to attend.

AGM notifications, with details of motions and nominations for election of Club Office Bearers and Directors, can be viewed on the Club’s website at: http://www.stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk/