AFTER A long period of no competitive rugby, Southern Knights are thrilled to have reached the 2021 final of the FOSROC Super6 Rugby League and are particularly grateful to main sponsor global IT and business consulting services company CGI for their support over the past two years.

Rob Chrystie, Head coach at the Southern Knights, said: “The Southern Knights management and players have really enjoyed their return to rugby since the end of July.

CGI, our headline sponsor have shown unwavering support to the Southern Knights throughout extremely challenging times. We are exceptionally grateful for their continued support and determined to repay that commitment on the pitch whist working closely with them in the wider Borders community.

“During lockdown we were able to continue to offer rugby activities for the younger children, and during April we were able to support a new Try It Out campaign aimed at children that wouldn’t typically have access to rugby or sporting activities because of social or economic barriers. We feel very strongly that the ability to pay shouldn’t prevent access to sport.

“Parents and carers were offered the option to pay what they could, or in some cases nothing at all. Over 30 boys and girls joined in the fun sessions at the Melrose pitches, and the majority registered to stay on until the end of the summer season. The lifting of restrictions has allowed the Southern Knights to launch their buddy scheme aligning some of their semi-professional players to the younger players to help encourage and develop their skills and to inspire children to play to the best of their ability.

“This inclusive ethos is shared by CGI and the award winning Inspire Learning Programme developed in partnership with Scottish Borders Council for pupils from primary four to sixth year in high school throughout the area.

“This uses iPads and an array of other tools to support learning and aims to benefit all children and teachers by raising attainment, support equity and inclusion, and to work towards preparing young people for a digital future. We are keen to continue to support these initiatives in conjunction with CGI over the coming months and years.”

Dominic Taddei, Chair of Southern Knights Super6 Board said: “We are delighted to continue to work a further term with our headline sponsor CGI. Their support through very difficult times has been phenomenal and we look forward to working with them as we get ready to approach the finals day, and to now have the ability to offer a wider audience for FOSROC Super6 with the fantastic news that was released by Scottish Rugby on 23rd June 2021 that every Super6 Sunday fixture has been televised live on free-to-air television by new broadcast partner, FreeSports. The FOSROC Super6 finals weekend will take place on the weekend of 15/16/17 October, and we look forward to showcasing CGI as our headline sponsor at the finals event.”

The continuing partnership between CGI and the Southern Knights is not only a relationship supporting sport in the Scottish Borders but also Southern Knights players and coaches are working closely with CGI on community-based initiatives in Borders schools, delivering motivational and inspirational videos for the pupils. CGI employees will also benefit from the relationship with the option to join in fitness sessions at the Greenyards and receiving motivational and leadership messages from the coaches.”