History made as SRU president visits Glasgow Rugby Old Geezers Society

SRU President Dee Bradbury and GROGS chairman Brian Rigby with the Calcutta Cup

The group was visited by Dee Bradbury, the first woman president of the Scottish Rugby Union.

Dee was most welcome in her own right but even more so when she introduced a special companion she had brought along with her . the Calcutta Cup.

The famous trophy had been retained by the Scotland rugby team after their thrilling draw with England at Twickenham, during which she witnessed her son, Magnus, helped Scotland with his own magnificent try!

As president of the SRU, Dee said that what she is particularly proud of is the inclusiveness of rugby in Scotland at the present time, available to all whether they have grown up steeped in the rugby tradition or have never been near a rugby ball or pitch before.

She exemplified this by describing a trip to Nagasaki, organised by the SRU, for a group of boys from disadvantaged areas of Scotland.

The trip was a resounding success.

In the words of former Scottish captain, Al Kellock, they “went away as boys and came back men”.

Thanking Dee for joining them, GROGS chairman, Brian Rigby, wished her continuing success in the second year of her presidency.

The GROGS AGM was also held on that day with the membership approving the disbursement of £7000 to (mainly rugby) charities:

• £2000 to The Bill McLaren Foundation;

• £1500 to The Beatson Cancer Charity;

• £1000 to The Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation;

• £1000 to The Hearts and Balls Charitable Trust;

• £1000 to Trust Rugby International;

• £500 to The David Azhar Appeal.

The amount available was enhanced this year by the proceeds of a tribute book compiled in memory of Roy Dingwall, a founder member of GROGS and a kenspeckle figure in rugby grounds throughout Scotland. Roy had died in July 2018.

GROGS meets on the second Wednesday of each month from April to September at Braidholm, the home of GHA RFC.

Anyone interested in joining in on some rugby nostalgia and chat should contact the secretary, Johnston Sime by email [email protected] or by telephone 0141 585 3713.