Elite Sponsorship Fund
Martin's story
CSSC very kindly granted me funding via the elite competitor fund, and I wanted to pass on how the event went.
I have played rugby union since I was 16 and it was a rough day when I eventually had to hang up the boots thanks to a body that was no longer suited to full contact rugby!
Touch rugby & the social league
I was introduced to touch rugby and started organising a work team to attend RCSL and CSSC events. Eventually I organised a social league in Dundee, welcoming players from all over the area!
Thanks to this league I was introduced to the international format of the game and I started to attend trial weekends with the aim of playing for the over 40’s team.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, this took a lot longer than I was originally expecting but I eventually had my place confirmed to represent Scotland at the European Championships in Nottingham on the first week of August 2022.
European Championships in Nottingham
The event itself was held at the University of Nottingham and the opening ceremony was a wonderful introduction as players from all over Europe got the chance to march into the competition! I’ve never experienced such an atmosphere! Each country had a unique entrance, whether it was Switzerland’s cow bells or our very own bagpipes, the introduction of each country was an event in itself!
When the games started, the week became a blur of international competition. Playing for Scotland was a standard I had never experienced but the support of my team got me through. The team spirit was fantastic, and it will be something I remember fondly for the rest of my life. In the end, Scotland finished fourth, losing a bronze medal playoff game to score in the last 30 seconds of our last game.
Personally, I was named coaches player of the tournament and the experience has left me determined to play for Scotland again and reunite with this incredible group of players.
The help from the CSSC was hugely appreciated. Touch rugby is far from a professional sport, so I had to pay for everything myself. With accommodation, travel and kit, the cost was exceptionally high so the assistance of the CSSC made a huge difference.
Thank you! - Martin
