Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby

Cllr Frances Melville, Fife Council Provost, launched the 4th Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival being held at Madras RFC, St Andrews on May 19th 2012. Madras had organised a Golden Oldies Event, to celebrate St Andrews Day and Teams from Mackie, Kinross and Hillfoots joined Madras Old Boys in a Round Robin series of Matches which followed the Official Launch. Prior to the Festival Launch, there was a Tournament for S1 and S2 Teams…..and with the Oldies Event which started at 1.00pm, it showed the youngsters that they could play the great Game of Rugby all their lives.

President of Madras RFC, Philip Mackey welcomed all present and introduced members of his Festival Organising Committee. He then introduced Dave McDonald, Golden Oldies Rugby’s European President, who is also the Scottish President. Dave introduced Cllr Melville and Jim Stevenson, a former President of the Scottish Rugby Union and Katie Barnett SGOR Secretary. Members of the Scottish Golden Oldies Executive, were also present, as were local SRU Development Officers.

After getting an update on preparations so far from Madras, Dave McDonald explained that whilst adhering to the IRB Laws, Golden Oldies Rugby has some variations –
 There is Unlimited Substitution
 Games are played over shorter time periods
 Over aggressive Play is NOTcondoned
 Golden Oldies play in ‘ Festivals ’ not ‘ Tournaments ’
 Age is shown by the colour of shorts Players wear……over 60’s cannot be Tackled
 Golden Oldies Rugby is played in the Ethos of – Fun, Friendship and Fraternity

He concluded that Entry Packs would be available immediately and be sent to Clubs who had previously entered a Scottish Festival. However, any Team wishing to enter and requiring more information can contact Dave on 07866 910 965. As places are limited, Teams intending to participate, should enter now, to save disappointment ! Further details are available on the Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Website - www.pitchero.com/clubs/scottishgoldenoldiesrugby

Cllr Melville addressed the Meeting and wished all involved her Best Wishes and hoped that all the visiting Teams would enjoy their stay in Fife, while playing in the Festival. The Provost then extolled the Golden Oldies ethos of Fun, Friendship and Fraternity. Around 20 – 24 Teams shall be participating and Teams from outside Scotland have already shown an interest in entering the Festival. Jim Stevenson, who participated in the 2008 World Golden Oldies Rugby Festival when it was staged in Edinburgh in 2008, outlined the enjoyment to be had from taking part in these Festivals. He stated that he thought the Golden Oldies movement to be a great asset to Rugby and that since the World Festival, he had taken every opportunity to play in Golden Oldies Games throughout Scotland.

Philip Mackey and Dave McDonald then signed the Festival Agreement and Cllr Melville then graciously agreed to officially Launch the 4th Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival. Dave thanked Madras RFC for their hospitality and their willingness to Host the 4th Scottish Festival; Cllr Melville for her kind words and for taking the time to attend the Launch on what was a very busy day of Official appointments for the Christmas Celebrations and Jim Stevenson for his ongoing support of Golden Oldies Rugby. The formal part of the day being completed, the Meeting was closed and the four Team Golden Oldies Festival then got under way.


Pictured, are Cllr Melville and seated on right - Philip Mackey and seated left - Dave McDonald.

Behind, are Members of the Local Organising Committee and the Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Executive along with some of the Golden Oldies Players.