Funding Boost

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MAJOR FUNDING BOOST BRINGS RUGBY CLUBS INTO THE 21st CENTURY

Dumfries rugby clubs has been given a major funding boost by sportscotland to help create state of the art facilities.

The success at Park Farm has a certainely helped in securing the funding, as they received the Scottish Hydro Electric Club of the Year for 2006/07 and have also been promoted for the fifth season in a row.

The Saints will now enter into Scottish Hydro Electric National League One next season,

Dumfries, with the help of Scottish Rugby who have donated specialist gym equipment, will transform a couple of the old changing rooms into a small conditioning suite, which will be used as a centre of excellence for rugby players in the Dumfries and Galloway region.

The Saints also plan to update their changing and shower facilities by putting in individual shower cubicals for young players, girls and women in an effort to make the club more approachable for people who find the open showers unappealing.

Dumfries club President, John Miller, said: "This is an exciting time at the club as the clubhouse was last developed in 1983 and the changing rooms in the 1970s.

"The development will bring the club right up to the 21st Century. We will have facilities to be proud of and that’s important to attract young players to the club".

Scottish Rugby’s Head of Community rugby Colin Thompson said: "Scottish Rugby, with their involvement in bids such as this, is working to improve rugby provisions nationwide so that everyone can benefit from top class facilities.

"It is always good to see clubs helping themselves and developing where they can. The club plans highlight their commitment to rugby and to the strengthening of the grass roots game".

Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "sportscotland is delighted to provide this investment in Dumfries rugby"
"The club is committed to the development of rugby locally and the new facilities will benefit players at all levels, enabling the further development of their memberships and ensuring players have the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential. sportscotland is committed to providing quality, accessible facilities for communities across Scotland and when built, the new facilities will hopefully attract more young people into the game and see the club continue to thrive.