PEEBLES has struck gold after winning the top Scotland regional prize in Miller Homes’ popular Summer of Sport competition.

The town's rugby club, which is developing a girls rugby team to enter at regional festivals, beat of stiff competition from various clubs across Scotland to pick up a prize of £500 in the regional round of the initiative.

Judges were looking for examples of how the sporting clubs in each community would make the most out of the donation, how the cash boost would directly support the learning and fitness of its members and specific examples of how the money would be used.

The judging panel, which included Commonwealth Judo Gold Medallist Sarah Clark, agreed that Peebles RFC were worthy winners in Scotland as they are committed to introducing the game to and opening up opportunities for girls to learn and play competitive rugby.

Sarah said: “We received a fantastic response to the competition and selecting an outright winner was a tough decision. Peebles RFC is encouraging girls to choose rugby at high school and this has led to the development of a team, which will be entering competitions.

“Sport of all kind is a great opportunity for children of all ages as they learn the skills to play and work hard together. What Peebles RFC is doing, is opening up the game to girls and as well as boosting their physical activity it is building sport into their lives at an early age.”

George Blair, Youth Development Officer at Peebles RFC, added: “We are hugely excited to have won the Scottish Summer of Sport competition. We have been working hard to attract more girls into the sport, especially at a young age and we’re delighted that we are now seeing more girls choosing rugby at school.

“The £500 prize money will go towards new playing shirts for the girls as the team continues to enter competitions across Scotland.”

The award winning UK housebuilder initiated the campaign this summer for the fourth year running on the back of successful competitions run in previous years.

Neil Gaffney, Sales and Marketing Director at Miller Homes Scotland, said: “We are pleased that so many sports clubs in Scotland took the time to enter this year’s competition and are delighted to support those organisations in the communities where we operate who are providing fantastic opportunities for people to participate in activities which promote positive health and wellbeing.

 

“Peebles RFC is a great example of this and it’s wonderful to hear about the positive impact this funding will have on their club.”

 

The Scottish region received 11 entries for the competition.