Turriff Rugby Club planning day of celebration
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TURRIFF RFC are planning a community open day in March to honour the first ever rugby match played in the town.
This week the club confirmed that they have secured the use of the pitch formerly used by the now-defunct Turriff Cricket Club at the Showgrounds for home matches and training.
The goalposts are expected to be erected at some point in the next few weeks, while co-president John Hester is hopeful that changing rooms can be developed in the short-intermediate term.
It's all systems go at Aberdeenshire's newest club who also received a £1000 National Lottery grant to deliver free, inclusive touch rugby camps for kids during the Easter break.
Further details of the open day will be released in due course and Mr Hester says the news of the new pitch has given the club a massive shot in the arm, as they gear up for joining the Caledonia League set-up in August.
“It's brilliant news for the club and the community.
“After a year of hard work alongside different bodies we've got across the line.
“We have to give a big thanks to Live Life Aberdeenshire and Stuart Grant, along with the project managers at Aberdeenshire Council who have been integral.
“We've also been working alongside the Haughs Redevelopment group and Turriff Show's committee to come to a mutual, beneficial agreement that will give them the time and space to prepare for the Show in August.
“The Showground is arguably one of the best-looking parts of Turriff so we're delighted to be able to play rugby there.”
Turriff have another friendly arranged for Saturday at Ellon 2nds and Mr Hester added: “It will be a big test for our guys to come up against a well-established, mature side.
“There's winning games and learning from games – some of our players have never played rugby in a competitive environment but they'll be raring to go.”