Leith Rugby

Leith Rugby is a welcoming, community-based club for players of all standards, experience and ability. The club maintains strong links to local schools and businesses and remains actively committed to the support of local charities.

In 2016, they established a youth development programme following the creation of partnerships with the local secondary and primary schools, and with the assistance of Scottish Rugby, The Bill McLaren Foundation, SportScotland and other generous grant providers. Their aims were:

  • To improve the health and wellbeing of young people within the Leith area through the delivery of rugby as a sport.

  • To create a pathway for local children to develop their rugby skills and to progress to the senior teams.

  • To work with the local community, to embrace diversity and to ensure there are no barriers to overcome.

With six potential future internationalists attending their first coaching session in 2016, the programme has gone from strength to strength and now provides coaching to nearly 2,000 children as follows: -

  • P4 - P7 children across 10 local primary schools.

  • S1 - S6 children within Leith Academy.

  • Two special needs schools (possibly a 3rd on the horizon).

  • Six after-school clubs.

  • Mini & Midi rugby (from the age of three, ‘Little Leithers’ upwards).

The Bill McLaren Foundation have been deeply encouraged to observe this programme and club flourish. We were delighted to award another grant again this year, to help assist in supporting their coaches to deliver c2,500 hours curricular and non-curricular rugby coaching. We also wish to congratulate Leith Rugby on their centenary year and highly successful programme, that reflects the unending commitment of their dedicated coaches and wonderful volunteers.

The Clans – Unified Rugby

As a charity, we have supported Unified Rugby and The Clans throughout Scotland for a good number of years now and will continue to do so. As Bill would have said, ‘Rugby is a Game for Everyone’.

“The first national 10s festival was held on the 22nd June, 2022 at Hawick RFC.

We had all seven clan teams from all over Scotland represented on the day, which included 47 players with physical and learning disabilities taking part. The festival was a great success, supported by a few well kent faces including Iain (the bear) Milne playing along side the teams. We are very grateful to The Bill McLaren Foundation who sponsored our day and can’t thank them enough for their continued support over the year.

Very much appreciated.

Our next festival will be held on the19th of June this year. We hope that this festival will grow from strength to strength over the years, giving players with disabilities the opportunity to all play together and enjoy the wonderful game.”

David Cranston, Chairman of the Scottish Clan & Director of Trust Rugby International Scotland, 2023

Lousie Christie – Gymnast

“As my 2023 season comes to an end, I wanted to get in touch and update you on some of my recent results and ambitions for the next season. I represented Great Britain at the Portimao World Challenge Cup in Portugal. I have previously competed at the International event here, but this was my first time at the World Challenge Cup which was very exciting. My results from the start of the year, along with a designated trial, resulted in me being selected for my second European Championships which this year took place in Baku, Azerbaijan. My preparation for the Europeans was challenging and I spent the majority of my time training in England, however I had a really successful competition, improving my overall European ranking by 14 spots to 31st . I was very close to the all- around final, which has given me more drive and determination to reach it next year. Additionally, at the Scottish Championships I retained my title and hit another PB score in ball. The following weekend at the British Championships I became the senior British Ball Champion, as well as vice all around champion, 3rd  in ribbon and hoop. The British Championships was a very difficult competition and did not reflect the work I put in preparation; however, this again has given me motivation for the new season.

The support I have had from the Bill McLaren Foundation has contributed to my success throughout this year allowing me to cover expenses to train and prepare for major competitions down in England. Additionally, it allowed me to attend GBR squads at Lilleshall national sports centre, where we can train full time in a great facility alongside teammates and GBR coaching staff. I am extremely grateful for this support, as it takes financial strain off my family and has allowed me to compete on a world level, improving the overall GBR rankings internationally.”

Louise Christie, 2023

Tara MacTaggart – Golf Pro

“I am delighted and I am honoured to represent the Bill McLaren Foundation this year on Tour. 

My main goal for this season is to win my first professional event as well as gaining my full Ladies European Tour card by the end of the season. I am very excited to get my 2nd year as a professional underway and this really wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from the Bill McLaren Foundation.”

Tara MacTaggart, 2023