News / Rugby superstar is coming
RUGBY superstar Chris Paterson MBE is heading north in October to take part in the Shetland Sports Week, part of the build up for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Paterson holds the record for the most caps and points scored for Scotland during his 12 year career that ended in 2011 at his fourth Rugby World Cup.
He said he was excited about his visit to the Shetland Rugby Club, which has been growing from strength to strength since the appointment of development officer Daniel Meadows six months ago.
“I’m very much looking forward to making my first trip to Shetland. I’ve heard a lot about the work that the club and Daniel are doing and I’m really keen to see that first hand,” he said.
Meadows started his two year contract in February since when he has visited primary and secondary schools the length and breadth of the islands promoting the sport.
“It’s really taken off since I was appointed and the enthusiasm is at an all time high, especially among the kids in the schools. We have gone from six or eight turning up for training to 44 children.”
Shetland Sports Week runs from 29 September until 6 October with up to 100 events planned all over Shetland, with national coaches and development staff from athletics, bowls, basketball, rugby and football expected to come.
Highland Institute of Sport area manager Chris Hildrey will visit schools and deliver a talk on supporting Shetland’s athletes to local sports science staff.
There will be a photo exhibition of the past 100 years of Shetland sport at the museum and archives and dance graduate Jane McLaren is preparing a schools dance programme for the opening event.
Shetland Islands Council sports development officer Bob Kerr said: “The week offers an unprecedented opportunity to help meet the legacy challenge of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“It is a fantastic chance to showcase Shetland sports and for people to take part in free sports activities and workshops across Shetland.”
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