Schools rugby event to honour Calum Veitch

The ten-a-side tournament, one of Calum’s favourite variations of the game, was created to honour his memory and his massive involvement with rugby in Edinburgh. The competition involves eight schools from the local area in Cup and Plate tournaments on the Murrayfield back pitches, from 2.30pm, ahead of Edinburgh Rugby’s clash with Munster.

The trophies will be presented by Calum’s parents, Robin and Joanne, to the winners inside Murrayfield Stadium at half-time of the RaboDirect PRO12 match.

Robin Veitch said: “It’s great that we can remember Calum and promote schools’ rugby using the shortened game that he enjoyed so much. It’s even more special that the event is being held at Murrayfield Stadium, which was the scene of one of Calum’s rugby highlights as part of the Musselburgh under-16 team that won the National under-16 Youth Cup in 2009.

“We appreciate all the hard work that Scottish Rugby development staff Ruaridh Pye and Greg Cann have put into this tournament. Ruaridh coached Calum when he was chosen for the Edinburgh Schools under-17 sevens team that travelled to Marseille to compete in the Urban World Cup.

“Our son was always so enthusiastic about rugby and got stuck into every opportunity that was presented to him, impressing all his teachers and coaches with that enthusiasm, and his welcoming personality.

“We hope some of this character was absorbed by the boys he enjoyed coaching in the Portobello High School S1/ S2 team. Finally, with Calum’s love for rugby we wanted to support a charity involved with the game, so we’re very happy to have Hearts & Balls on board, who have donated one of the trophies for the competition.”

The eight schools are: Royal High; Trinity Academy; Portobello; St Augustine’s/Craigmount (combined); Boroughmuir/Gillespie’s (combined); Lasswade; Dalkeith; Newbattle.