It will be an emotional and special day at Poynder Park on Sunday when the inaugural Eilidh Walker Memorial Cup match is played.
Eilidh was the Kelso Ladies head coach and she passed away in May aged 31 from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) after holding a coaching session.
The Kelso Ladies, Kelso club and wider rugby community have come together since then to help team mates, family and friends come to terms with her passing and, since she loved rugby so much, the idea came about to play a match in her honour.
The game will kick-off at 1pm on Sunday when Kelso take on a Gala Vixens/Berwick Diamonds team and it will just be part of a day where everyone who knew Eilidh can come together to remember her in their own way.
Nicola Halfpenny, who played under Eilidh in recent seasons and is now the head coach of the Kelso Ladies, said: “It’s was heart-breaking for everyone involved with the club when Eilidh passed away, it’s been hard and still is for all involved in the women and girls’ sections.
“We are a close-knit team and everyone has pulled together to help deal with the heartbreak. My thoughts go out to Eilidh’s mum Dawn, brother Sandy and her wider family as well as Donna [Borthwick, Eilidh’s partner] who is continuing her coaching role within the women’s and girls’ sections and has shown amazing strength.
“Eilidh was a down to earth person that just wanted the best for everyone. She was always involved with anything going on at the club.
“She was passionate was wanting to improve women’s and girls’ rugby and played a key part in Kelso growing the game. At Kelso are in a great position in terms of women’s and girls’ rugby and this is down to her hard work and dedication.
“In terms of coaching, Eilidh was all about getting the best out of everyone and improving as the sessions/games went on. She had a love for rugby which rubbed off on everyone else, she just wanted the best for us all.
“The Eilidh Walker Memorial Cup is a day for everyone to come together to remember her and her love of rugby and we thought a game against Gala Vixens was the best thing to do.
“Eilidh grew up in Galashiels and played for them in her younger days and so did a few other players who now play at Kelso so there are links between the clubs.
“We want to keep Eilidh’s name at the forefront of efverything we do and make sure everyone is aware of the work and effort she put into women’s and girls’ rugby.
“And, after the game, I’m sure everyone will have a cheers and ‘one for the road’ as Eilidh would say.”
As an example of the work Eilidh did, Kelso have a great girls’ section now and have under-12,14 and 16 groups while some under-18s have joined together with players from Gala and Berwick to form a Borders team.
In terms of the senior team, Kelso Ladies will be in Caledonia Midlands/East League Two in 2024/25 and start on September 8 away to Hillfoots Vixens.
“We have come together as a team and we all want to have a good season,” Halfpenny, the former Scotland cap, added.
“It’s been tough getting back on to the training pitch, but the girls have stuck together and put in the work pre-season so we can’t wait to get the season started.
“I have took on the head coaching and it’s a big pair of boots to fill and I hope to continue to build on the great work Eilidh had started.
“The players have been great with me and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for Kelso.”
Thanks to Kelso Ladies for the imagery
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