THE future of sport in Peebles becomes brighter every year with support from the Odd Shaped Ball.

Representatives from nine different sports clubs and schools collected cheques last weekend from the charitable fundraiser.

The sell-out event, now in its sixth year, raised just over £10,000 at Peebles Hydro back in September.

The junior sections of Peebles Football Club, Peebles Golf Club, Peebles Rugby Club and Peebles Cricket Club all shared half the funds, while Priorsford, Kingsland and Halyrude Primary Schools, together with Peebles High School’s first year rugby team, were beneficiaries of the remaining share of the proceeds.

Having performed to wide acclaim at the Odd Shaped Ball, £300 was also donated to the Fiona Henderson School of Dance, which will be used to fund an additional place for their 2019/20 scholarship programme designed to encourage, reward and support dance talent in Peebles.

This was the first year fundraising had gone towards the local primary schools and High School, which was gratefully received.

Priorsford’s headteacher Sandra McGregor told us: "I would like to thank everyone involved at the Odd Shaped Ball for this extremely generous donation.

"It was a complete and lovely surprise to receive the money and we are very grateful indeed.

"Our PE teacher Richard Edge has plenty of ideas for how we can use the money to encourage more sporting opportunities and experiences for the children at Priorsford, something we are very passionate about.”

Two of Halryude Primary School’s young netball stars were on show to collect their cheque which will be used to fund new netball goalposts and kit for pupils.

And Kingsland were represented at the cheque handover by their team of talented sporting house captains, with their funds going towards the PE department.

Head teacher Jacqueline Wilson expressed her delight at becoming a beneficiary.

She said: “When I read the email from the Odd Shaped Ball team, I nearly fell off my chair.

"We don’t get emails like this very often – thank you so very much to everyone who supported the event.”

The Odd Shaped Ball started back in 2013 as a fundraiser for Peebles Football Club and was expanded to support the development of other junior sports the following year, with rugby, golf, cricket, netball and hockey all benefitting in subsequent years.

More than £36,000 has now been distributed to junior sports clubs and schools in Peebles.

Organiser Ross Duncan told the Peeblesshire News: “We were keen to add the three primary schools this year as they all play a major role in getting more children involved in playing sport and all do a great job in promoting sport in the community.

"We want to ensure that junior sport continues to flourish in Peebles and the clubs who have benefited from our fundraising continue to grow, increase their membership and achieve national recognition.

"Our thanks go to the 228 people who attend the Odd Shaped Ball and those companies who donate the prizes which help raise the money on the night, as well as Peebles Hydro who are fantastic hosts and generous sponsors.”

The 2019 event will take place at Peebles Hydro on Saturday, September 15, with tickets going on sale in May.