Balfron High School pupils have been left “buzzing” after nine Scotland women’s rugby squad members visited them.
Girls’ rugby has been grown incredibly fast at the school and at local club Strathendrick in recent times and internationalists Evie Gallagher, Anne Young, Elis Martin, Alex Stewart, Hollie Cunningham, Rachel Philipps, Demi Swann, Holland Bogan and Aicha Sutcliffe were delighted to visit the Stirlingshire village last week.
The players, who are preparing for WXV Global Series action, engaged in rugby sessions across several age groups at the school playing fields on August 26, offering advice and encouragement as promising young players took to the pitch.
They also took part in a question-and-answer session, giving the youngsters present the opportunity to ask questions and hear first-hand about life as a Scotland cap.
Neil Macquarrie, the principal teacher of PE at Balfron High School, said: “Over the past five or six years the girls’ rugby has really exploded here and locally.
“Indeed, we’ve got to the stage where we’ve got primary one-aged locals and up all the way through to under-18s linked with the school and Strathendrick rugby club.
“The Scotland players that have been here have been so enthusiastic, it hopefully sets the bar for our pupils and they have been buzzing.
“We’ve had a number of male and female pupils over the last few years who have gone on and represented Scotland at various different levels so hopefully this visit inspires all the younger up-and-coming players to go on and make that next step in their own rugby journeys.”
Steven McCooey, who is involved with girls’ rugby at Strathendrick, added: “This has been a great day and the link up we have with Balfron High School is also great.
“Over recent times there have been lots of young girls the school who enjoy their rugby and are promising rugby players and we have been able to speak to the school and work with them to provide those girls with a pathway in terms of their school and their club rugby.
“That joined up approach is really important and we are continuing to work at it for the benefit of our club and for the benefit of Balfron High School and the sport locally.
“The Scotland players were exceptional with the girls, what an occasion.”
Balfron High School’s rugby loving girls are pictured with members of the Scotland squad – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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