South Edinburgh based rugby club, Lismore RFC, has launched a range of interactive activities and fundraising initiatives to support their local community in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Players, coaches and committee members have rallied together to come up with a social distancing Rugby/Football Golf Course, promoting health and wellbeing in lockdown.

Set in the grounds of Inch Park – where Lismore RFC usually train prior to the pandemic restrictions taking effect – the ten-hole course allows people taking their daily exercise to easily maintain social distancing while enjoying a different fitness challenge.

The aim of the game in this hybrid sport is to reach the end target in the least kicks possible using a rugby ball or football.

Designed by Lismore RFC’s Volunteer Youth Coach Hamish Skene, each hole has been named after former and current club members. The scorecard and course map can be downloaded from Lismore RFC’s Facebook Page.

The club has also sprung into action to support local charitable causes.

Working in partnership with Morrisons Moredun store, every Thursday the club will be collecting donations for Edinburgh SE Foodbank, operated by the Trussell Trust.

The club has also chosen to support sight loss charity, Royal Blind. The charity runs residential care services Braeside House and Allermuir, which are based within minutes of Lismore's clubhouse at Inch Park.

So far, they have raised nearly £600 for Royal Blind.

Club President Alistair Wylie said: "We want to help those in our local community, especially those who are most vulnerable at this time. It’s been a real team effort from our players, coaches and committee members to draw all of these ideas together.”

With funding from the National Emergencies Trust and the Community Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund we have been able to establish these quickly and safely.”

We are actively fundraising to support Royal Blind's urgent appeal, which will help them fund the PPE and safety equipment they need. Members of the club have also donated unused iPads and tablets so that residents can stay in contact with their loved ones via video calling.”
“We have also donated boxes of biscuits for staff and residents to enjoy which we hope has boosted their spirits at a difficult time."

As well as supporting the wider community, the club also continues to lend their focus to Youth and Senior players by hosting online video seminars with special guests from Scottish Rugby, Edinburgh Rugby Referee Society and Alba Lifestyle.

Youth and Senior weekly training sessions and games came to a halt on March 16, and since then, players are very much missing the active participation, but they are keen to stay as engaged as possible through the pandemic by taking part in these virtual activities.

Youth Development Officer Eric Jones, who has been coordinating the seminars, said: “We want our player base to remain engaged and provide them with the resources they need continue to expand their knowledge whilst in lockdown. We are delighted that it is being well received.”

So far, we have had players taking part in seminars on nutrition, mobility and how to improve sporting performance. We have also had a Q and A with referees.”

“It’s also important to us that we provide our Youth players with content to help carry them forward once the pandemic is over. We have taken this opportunity to provide information on future career options as well as deliver online courses including World Rugby’s ‘Rugby Right’ courses which enable our Youth players to gain qualifications.”