Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Memorial Cup Match
Suddenly on the 3rd May 2024 - we lost our coach & friend Eilidh Walker.
Rugby, especially growing women and girls rugby in the Borders and beyond was such a passion in her life. We knew we wanted to create something that would mean a lot, not only to her, but would further grow the women's rugby community.
This year, on the 25th August - the Inaugural Memorial Cup Match took place at Kelso Rugby Club. We felt that this would not only honor her memory, but would also honour her vision for women's rugby. A community coming together to support each other.
Kelso Ladies went on to take the cup with a 43 - 0 win against Galashiels vixens/Berwick Black Diamonds. We are so grateful to them for agreeing to play against us. We could not have picked better people for the first match for this cup.
The raffle was enormous, with donations from all over the borders - With people bagging a months free fitness a brand new tablet or a golf lesson. There were vouchers for beauty treatments, sports massages or cleaning to various vouchers for shops in Kelso. Something for everyone.
Friends, Family, Community - turned out in force, and we truly felt, that we - The Kelso Ladies - were fully supported all Sunday.
Eilidh Walker - our coach
A Familiar Sight
A familiar sight at the side of the pitch.
Every match she'd set up the changing room with water and haribo. Then always pitch side, watching intently as we played. Shouting encouragement, and/or direction as we made our way through the game. Eilidh believed fiercely in each of us. That we were more than capable of succeeding. That belief picked us up even if we were having a bad day. She wanted to drive women's rugby forward - a community where we all had a place.
Her Vision
She had a vision for not only the ladies rugby, but youth girls rugby in general. A blueprint to drive it forward, so that every girl or woman who wanted to play could play. A continual path that meant from 12 up, you would have a place and team in which to belong. Although she didn't get to see this launch - the Border Girls Rugby Team became reality on the 17th July with the first training practice taking place at Kelso Rugby Club with Jacqui Stone (SRU East Region Manager) in attendance and the incredible Lana Skeldon, who not only helped run drills but also got stuck in herself. We know that she would have been so proud to see this come together.
Legacy
And so, where do we go from here? Simple as it may sound, we carry on. We carry on training, because although we've lost our coach we've not lost our way. Now more than ever it is important to keep our team growing and developing. We will always welcome any woman who wants to train with us because we also believe, like Eilidh, that there is a place for you here.
The reality is we will not grieve forever. We will never 'get over' the loss of Eilidh, but from loss come new beginnings, a renewed infectious enthusiasm and camaraderie is beginning to build within our team.
If we can transmit that to the whole borders community for women and girls rugby, we shall truly be keeping her vision alive.
Not just in memory of Eilidh, but a reality for Women and Girls.