PEEBLES Rugby Club have won the ‘Community Club of the Season for the East’ at the 2023 Scottish Rugby Community Recognition Awards.

The Community Recognition Awards is Scottish Rugby’s annual domestic game awards programme, focusing on the on and off-field efforts of clubs and schools across Scotland over the course of the season.

Following on from celebrating their centenary year in 2022, Peebles picked up the award for their unwavering commitment to the local area.

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Over the last three years, and last year in particular, the club have worked tirelessly to support the community in times of need with regular donations and support to the Peeblesshire Foodbank.

As well as providing donations, members have also coordinated deliveries to those most in need.

In addition to this, the club have also actively supported Peebles Resilience Community group to help distribute items including food, prescriptions, and logs for fires to older residents throughout the winter months.

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Most recently, the club fundraised for the Radio Borders Cash for Kids Sports Challenge, contributing nearly £2,000 and winning ‘Most Creative Fundraiser’ with an unbroken chain of passes with a rugby ball from the clubs training pitches at Hay Lodge along the banks of the River Tweed to the 1XV pitch at the Gytes.

On the field, the club are expanding with more demand from the local community to play more rugby, and with that continues to create and maintain a strong sense of community and belonging where no one is left behind or is made to feel excluded in any way.

Club secretary Jim King said: “Just when you thought things couldn't get any better in the club's centenary year, Peebles Rugby Club were delighted to be named as the Community Club of the Season for their unwavering commitment to the local community."

Scottish Rugby regional director for the east region David Drummond said: “It has been another tremendously successful year for the east region and that is a credit to the countless volunteers throughout the region.

“We are constantly humbled by the incredible commitment those across our clubs and schools show not only for the sport, but for their local community too and that’s what the Community Recognition Awards are designed to celebrate.”

Scottish Rugby president Colin Rigby said: “As we approach the end of the domestic season, it is really important that we recognise and share our gratitude to the countless volunteers within our sport who make what we do not only possible, but special, fun and enjoyable.

“We received hundreds of applications to the Community Recognition Awards this year, and I know it was a tough job for the regional panels to narrow it down to the winners, but it goes to show how many people in Scottish rugby are noticed and appreciated for all they do, and I for one cannot thank them enough.”