As the Guinness Women’s Six Nations takes a break, let’s shine a light on the club game in Scotland and the first group of Garioch Ladies rugby players to make 100 appearances for the Inverurie outfit have been honoured.
Five players have gone through the milestone three-figure barrier and become centurions at Kellands Park, an excellent achievement.
A capping ceremony was held for them recently on the day that the women’s first team played their final home game of the 2024-25 campaign.
The quintet of players in the ‘100 club’ are Kim Jamieson, Jess Silcocks, Alisha Ross, Lindsey McDiarmid and Josie Shaw while photographer Gareth Falls was also presented with a cap having covered over 100 of the section’s matches in recent years.
Over 200 women have pulled on a Garioch shirt since the section was formed and now they are running two teams such is the interest in the local area.
Front-rower Kim Jamieson, 35, said: “I got introduced to rugby in 2012 and instantly loved it.
“Being involved with rugby and Garioch Ladies has given me so much and has shaped the person I am today.
“I’ve had some real highs with the club from winning Bowl finals and leagues to seeing us get into the Premiership, but it has been about more than that.
“Rugby made me in my 20s, helping build my confidence and setting me onto a path of working within sport.
“I am now senior rugby development officer at the club while, playing-wise, reaching 100 caps feels surreal.
“It came as a bit of relief to reach the figure this season as the body isn’t what it once was and each game recently has felt like a fight with Goliath to keep my body fit!
“Seriously though, I really wanted to hit the milestone this year to celebrate alongside some of original team mates from the early years, it’s a full circle moment and we have enjoyed it together.”
Utility forward Jess Silcocks, 33, said: “I started rugby when I was 18 or 19 when the team at Garioch started as a ‘fitness club’.
“I have been with the team through the development leagues, regional leagues and into the Premiership. Rugby got more addictive as time went on and once the friendships were made I was always keen to keep going.
“It’s much more than just a hobby, there’s rarely a day I’m not at the club and I wouldn’t haven’t it any other way.
“I am currently pregnant with my second child and what I love most about Garioch is that there is a place for everyone. Not currently playing, I have plenty tasks to keep me involved and still a passion to get another ‘cap’ once the baby’s here.
“Getting to 100 appearances and being involved with Garioch is a great honour, my children will see my cap proudly displayed in our home and I really hope one day they find something that gives them all the memories that Garioch and rugby has given me.”
Alisha Ross, the 31-year-old second-row, said: “I started playing when I was 19. I took part in a rugby session at college that was taken by the Garioch Ladies coach at the time and I loved it so much that he suggested that I come down to training and I’ve never looked back since.
“My time at Garioch has been incredible, I am currently taking some time out of playing to start a family, but I’m still a regular down at the club cheering on the girls at their games and I cannot wait to be back on the pitch with them one day.
“Reaching 100 games for Garioch is a huge honour and something I am incredibly proud.
“To be one of the first girls to hit this milestone with some of the team mates that I started playing with all those years ago is such a special moment. I am proud of what we have achieved so far and can’t wait to watch more players reach this amazing milestone in years to come.”
Tighthead prop Lindsey McDiarmid, 28, said: “I played rugby at school and came to Garioch when I was 16 as I was looking for more opportunities to play.
“At that time the club didn’t have any girls teams so I trained with the women right up until I finally got out on the pitch for the first time with them.
“My friend and I used to get the bus after school from Huntly out to Inverurie to train with the ladies one night a week and those are great memories.
“The sport has come so far since then and the club has come with it. We have successful girls teams and the girls who join the senior squad now are ready for senior rugby.
“I love that the club has rugby for everyone and I keep joking that 100 appearances is just a new way of showing my age, but really it’s the result of a privileged 10 years of playing the sport I love for my home team.”
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, next up, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Kim Jamieson, Jess Silcocks, Alisha Ross and Lindsey McDiarmid are pictured in the main image while Josie Shaw and Gareth Falls are also pictured – thanks to Gareth Falls
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk