Langholm rugby holds its head high at awards

Rugby

LANGHOLM Rugby Club was in fine company at the Sunday Mail Scottish Sports Awards last Thursday.
The club was one of only two rugby clubs to be shortlisted for an award, the other being the Scotland team, no less.
Ten representatives attended the awards in Glasgow where 400 sportsmen, women, coaches and organisers gathered in the Doubletrees by Hilton Hotel to celebrate another great year of Scottish sport.
The Langholm club was one of three finalists in the
Community Sports Club of the Year category.
This was won by Westquarter & Redding Cricket Club from Falkirk but making the final three in the top sports awards in Scotland was an achievement in itself and a huge boost for the club.
After the ceremony, Kenneth Pool, chairman, said: “What a great night, both for the club and the community of Langholm.
“Ten of us went to Glasgow and had a brilliant night. We were obviously a bit disappointed not to win but we were up against two other great community sports clubs and we wish them all the best.
“Getting a nomination was fantastic and is a great credit to all the volunteers, supporters and players who make Langholm RFC such a great community club.
Good company
“There were only two rugby clubs nominated at this year’s awards, the Scotland team and Langholm RFC so we were in good company.
“We met up with Gregor Townsend and Fraser Brown at the end.
“It was great to see so many sport stars there, including boxer Josh Taylor, footballer John McGinn, Solheim Cup winning captain Katrina Mathews and the lifetime presentation to
former boxer Ken Buchanan was an unforgettable part of the evening.”
He added: “We just about didn’t make it because of bad weather. With lines down both north and south of Carlisle, all trains were cancelled at short notice.
“Most of the lads were in full Highland dress and stuck on the platform with hundreds of
others.
“It looked hopeless. We tried for taxis but it was no good. Eventually, we managed to cram onto a bus and went to Glasgow that way. We arrived very late but made the venue in time.”
Calum Graham of Active Schools and Community Sport, who nominated the club, said: “On the evening Langholm
Rugby Club was described as “the definition of a community club which is at the heart of the Muckle Toon and a cornerstone of life as well as rugby in Langholm”.
“Although not winning the award, the club and especially all the volunteers behind the scenes, who make everything happen, thoroughly deserved their place at the ceremony, rubbing shoulders with the elite of Scottosh sport.”