Funds raised from Ross Sutherland Rugby Club memorial match to create bursary for talented young players
Funds raised from a memorial match dedicated to two former rugby players are set to benefit future generations of athletes with the creation of a new bursary.
Ross Sutherland Rugby Club faced Moray last weekend in Invergordon for the annual fixture, which remembers Daniel Rafferty and Dave Mackay.
Family members of both late players were in attendance at the Naval Grounds, with close to £300 raised through a raffle.
Event organiser Rob Parkes says it is the wishes of both families that the money go towards creating opportunities for talented rugby players from underprivileged backgrounds, and he hopes to create such a fund with the proceeds.
“I’ll be speaking with the current committee, as it’s the family’s wishes that a bursary fund is started to ease the financial burden on any junior players that find themselves going through the regional trials and that kind of thing,” Mr Parkes said.
“The player pathway can get very expensive with the travelling, and that shouldn’t be a barrier to progression. Hopefully the committee will agree to that and ring-fence the money for that purpose.
“Raff went through that process as an under-15 and under-16. I was coaching him at that point, and we took a few boys through.
“I think it’s fair to say that not all are particularly well-off financially, and anything we can do to ease that path for these lads absolutely should be given. It’s a worthy thing to do with the money.”
Mr Parkes is a former coach and committee member with Ross Sutherland, and coached both Rafferty and Mackay in their youth.
He says both men are fondly remembered by those who knew them, and their legacy continues to impact youngsters who never met them through the memorial fixture.
“Raff was an extremely talented young player,” Mr Parkes continued.
“He was a front-rower through and through, strong as an ox, dependable and just a great guy to have in the squad.
“The term cornerstone was used to describe him, and he really was that for the boys. He got on with everyone, he was just such a lovely character while being a very hard player on the field.
“Dave came along a few years later because a lot of his schoolmates played, and he caught the bug.
“We wish we would have got him earlier. He was quite often man of the match just for sheer effort, and he was just that happy-go-lucky sort of character who didn’t let too much upset him – a real team player.
“This is 14 years since we lost Raff, and then two years later Dave passed as well. To still play a memorial match with such a huge meaning is fantastic to see.
“I think it’s a reminder for some of what the club is about. It’s bigger than just the game of rugby, the friendships and the memories last forever.
“It’s really hard to put into words, but if you’re part of that, I don’t think it ever leaves you. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”
