Fine month sees Ayr earn club award

The RBS Premier Division leaders were the first team to have their name engraved on the Bill McLaren Shield last month after going unbeaten in league and cup but it wasn’t only the success of their first XV that saw them snap up the award.

The club’s under-18s and under-16s were also unbeaten in their respective leagues (West Regional Division 1) and the club’s developments at the grassroots are impressive.

Ayr president Billy McHarg said: “We have set our standards high and want to make sure we’re developing continuously.

“We currently have around 350 players between primary three age and under-18. It’s  important to us that we are a community club and that we do our bit to grow the game.”

Ayr have a development officer, Stuart Fenwick, and two apprentices, D’arcy Rae and William Black, who are funded by the Ayr Rugby Community Trust, South Ayrshire Council and Scottish Rugby. They work in all local primary and secondary schools and help run up to three teams in every age group. Kyle Academy and Queen Margaret Academy both entered the Brewin Dolphin Scottish  Schools Plate for the first time this season.