Leading figures in the world of Tayside rugby have thrown their weight behind an event designed to encourage Dundee to rekindle its love for the sport.
Dundee Schools Rugby, which aimed at secondary school children, stages a series of matches at U14, U16 and U18 level in the hope a generation of youngsters will become passionate “egg chasers”.
As of now just two secondary schools in Dundee Harris Academy and Dundee High have the sport on the curriculum.
Organisers hope this initiative, held at Morgan Rugby Club, will encourage pupils, teachers and volunteers to reconsider the sport’s merits in schools.
One such hopeful, Dundee HSFP favourite Alan Brown, revealed he longed for the sport to be held in the same regard as it was when he was at school.
He said: “Rugby has really diminished. When I was young a lot of schools in the city played, but I think there’s only one school outside of Dundee High that teaches it now.
“Dundee can’t just have two teams and expect to compete at any level. We’ve got four internationals now, but we won’t get any in the future like this.
“There’s not the same level of volunteers now. I think schools should all have a rugby coach in place.
“When I was at Harris we had two teams playing each week, but everyone is struggling at the moment.
“That’s why events like this are so important. By meeting like-minded people kids can be encouraged to take up the sport.”
Former Newcastle Falcons player and current director of rugby at Dundee High Phil Godman echoed Alan’s views, saying: “In the area it’s about growing the sport.
“Dundee as a city like many cities is quite football orientated.
“A lot of these guys are potentially very good players, they just don’t know it yet.
“That’s why I think getting all the schools mixed in and getting them out there playing in an event like this is so great.”
Rugby development officer and event organiser Josh Gabriel-Clarke said: “We are using this event as a vehicle to give rugby in schools a boost.
“Football is very dominant in this area, but Dundee has had a very strong rugby background in the past.
“There are a number of reasons why it’s fallen away in recent years, but events like this can help revitalise it.
“We’re trying to increase the number of rugby people within our schools.
Dundee Schools Rugby will run until November, and may run again in the future.
For more information email dundeeschoolsrugby@gmail.comor follow @DundeeSchRugby on Twitter.