Rugby sides to club together for match in Roddy's memory

THE former rugby clubs of an Edinburgh expat killed along with two others in Canada after his car plunged into a reservoir have organised an annual match to be played in his memory.

Former Edinburgh Academy pupil James Roderick "Roddy" Allan was killed after the Ford Escape skidded on ice and ended up in the Spray Lakes Reservoir in Alberta on December 30. Now the two teams who Mr Allan played for in Canada have come together to establish the annual Roddy Allan Memorial Game, with the sides meeting for the inaugural event next month.

Players and supporters of the Niagara Wasps and Burlington Centaurs were left shocked by the accident which killed 43-year-old Mr Allan along with his brother-in-law, Darrin Waugh, and his wife, Jennifer, both 39. Mr Allan's common-law wife, Jaimie Waugh, 33, was the only survivor after members of the public rushed to help those stuck in the stricken vehicle.

As well as the memorial match, the Burlington Centaurs juniors tournament on June 4 is set to be renamed in Mr Allan's honour, as he was one of the club's former youth team coaches.

Mr Allan's sister, Kirsten, 35, a barrister who lives in London, has welcomed the honours given to her late brother who will be "remembered through the sport he loved". She said: "When Roddy emigrated to Canada in 1996, he spent a few years involved with other sports and activities before going back to his passion for rugby, which he had since he was a boy. He had played as a hooker at school, but played in Canada as a centre or wing.

"Roddy played for the Wasps when he lived in that part of Ontario, from around 2000 to 2004. When he moved from the Niagara area towards Burlington he started to play for the Centaurs.

"In 2002, the Centaurs went on tour to Edinburgh and Dublin to celebrate the club's 50th anniversary. Roddy was in his element being able to show everyone around Edinburgh.

"We are hoping the matches will be a celebration of his life. Roddy was passionate about rugby so it's fitting that he will be remembered through the sport he loved."

Mr Allan's mother, Margaret, is planning to travel to Canada for the match to be held on May 21, while his sister hopes to travel across for future games.

His family are also planning to hold a memorial service in Edinburgh in July.