It's showtime for Turriff RFC
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TURRIFF RFC have their new field of dreams.
The final touches on their community pitch were put in place on Monday, with posts being added to the Showground.
Formerly occupied by the now-defunct Turriff Cricket Club, the area has been largely out of use for the past couple of years except from the hubbub of Turriff Show in August.
But now the Rugby Club, who were formed little more than a year ago, can call it their home.
To celebrate, the club have arranged an open day that will culminate in both mens and ladies exhibition matches against Fraserburgh on Saturday, March 21.
Turriff will have that which many other Aberdeenshire clubs who have been established for the best part of 70 years don’t in the way of a grandstand.
And club president John Hester hailed the new playing field as one of the north-east’s finest.
He said: “It’s fantastic to physically see it, the hard work has paid off.
“From our first chats with Stuart [Grant], this is what we wanted, to have a rugby club in the community, and to be here with the posts up and lines painted.
“To have a grandstand at a new rugby pitch is nothing short of a miracle. Having somewhere where people can watch rugby in all weathers is a good selling factor.
“There’s the play park and boating lake, it’s a wonderful area.
“We don’t just want one person to come down and watch rugby, we want several with their friends and families.
“It’s an emotional day for me and the rest of the guys to get to where we are and have arguably the best rugby pitch in the North-east of Scotland.”
The town had never previously boasted a rugby team, but after seeing incredible interest at training sessions, the club have made significant strides and next season will join the SRU’s Caledonia League set-up in the North Region’s fourth tier.
Their outstanding work in the local area has been recognised by Scottish Rugby’s governing body, with Turriff nominated for a Community Club of the Year Award at a ceremony in Elgin the evening prior to their open day.
Turriff’s community leisure officer Stuart Grant was part of the team which helped the club secure the facility, and said: “From the very start when we first started speaking to the club, they knew what they wanted.
“They’ve been ambitious and very good to work with.
“We need to give a lot of praise to the community too, Turriff Show have been incredibly supportive as well and it shows what a lot of collaboration can do.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the first game, and the success and community benefit that Turriff RFC is going to bring.
“Having the facility here will really prop that up.”
Turriff and District councillor Alastair Forsyth hoped that the club could
eventually produce international players and added: “I am delighted to see Turriff Rugby Club establishing a visible presence in the town by securing the use of part of the Turriff Showground to be used as a rugby pitch.
“This is a winning solution born of collaborative working with Aberdeenshire Council, Live Life Aberdeenshire and the Turriff District Agricultural Association committee.
“It offers benefits to everyone involved.”
