Sesquicentennial carnival

Celebrations will be held in St Andrews this year to mark the 150th anniversary of the University’s oldest sports society.

The University of St Andrews Rugby Football Club, one of the oldest clubs in Scotland, was founded in 1858.  A programme of events is planned to mark this important milestone including an international match at University Parkand an Alumni weekend.

“Old Boys” are invited to return to St Andrews and take part in the special activities.  One of the highlights will take place in September when The South African Rugby Legends will travel to St Andrews to challenge the Scottish Legends.  Both teams will be made up of ex-internationalists.  The club also intend to hold a development clinic for local school children.

A game between the University’s 1st XV and the St Andrews Legends will take place during the alumni weekend.  Celebrations will culminate in a large fundraising Sportsman’s Dinner at The Fairmont St Andrews Hotel. Guests will include South African and Scottish Rugby Legends as well as St Andrews Old Boys.

Sesquicentennial co-ordinator Fergus Knight was captain of the club from 2003-2004 and has been planning celebrations for around two years.

He said, “My two brothers were also heavily involved in St Andrews University Rugby Football Club and together our involvement spans about 25 years.  We have all had many good times with the club and I wanted to give something back.

“Nothing was done to mark the centenary so we are hoping that lots of alumni and Old Boys will return for this event to mark the occasion in an extra-special way.”

Present club members also hope to be able to reconstruct a detailed history of the club, updating archives with player details, newspaper cuttings and photographs.  Although a fairly comprehensive history appears from 1890-1988, the rugby club are keen to fill in the gaps for future generations and compile a hall of fame.

Anyone interested in supporting the club should contact Fergus at [email protected]  or consult the website www.standrewsrugby.com  for more information.

The Alumni weekend, including the 150th Celebration Dinner, South Africa Legends v Scotland Legends game and a Sesquicentennial Magnum Golf Challenge will take place from 11th-14th September.

ENDS

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Ref:  rugby_150 170308
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