Chris Paterson gives pupils masterclass

SCOTLAND’S most-capped player, Chris Paterson, may have been busy this summer collecting awards and university accolades, but he was in his element yesterday running around with schoolchildren in the west of Edinburgh.

Paterson, who retired from rugby at the end of last season with a record 109 caps and 809 Test points, has taken up a new ambassadorial role with the SRU and sponsors RBS. He also has a new responsibility for skills coaching and has been working in recent weeks with players at both Edinburgh and Glasgow on how to improve their play. But yesterday around 150 children attending a rugby day at Edinburgh Napier University received the benefit of the ‘Mossy’ wisdom in workshops and Q&A sessions. The Primary Five pupils from Murrayburn, Sighthill, St Cuthbert’s Broomhouse and St Joseph’s schools came together at the university’s Sighthill-based sports centre Engage in an event organised by the university with Active Schools – the successful Sportscotland-led sports programme opening up new opportunities to schoolchildren – and Forrester and Murrayfield Wanderers rugby clubs.

“It is a pleasure to be involved with the rugby day,” said Paterson, who this year received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the university. “It is a way to introduce the game to children who might not otherwise think about giving rugby a go and gets back to what made me first pick up a ball – pure fun.”

Mike Wallace, Edinburgh Napier’s Community Sports Development Officer, said: “We want the university to play an important role in the local community, especially when it comes to encouraging participation in sport.

“Helping to put on the rugby day is part of that ongoing engagement process, and it is a real thrill for the schools to have someone like Chris taking the sessions.”