Tuesday 29 July 2014

Raffle prizes needed!

Our eleventh Ladies' Lunch takes place on Saturday 30th August to coincide with the first match of the season against Gala and it will be raising funds for research into Hodgkin Lymphoma.

As part of the fundraising efforts, a raffle will be taking place and it would be good to have some great prizes on offer.  If you have anything you wish to donate, you can drop it into the clubhouse.

For more information please contact Eilidh at eilidhr@hotmail.com


New season's signings

We're delighted to announce the new arrivals who will be playing for Ayr in the forthcoming season.

Prop Fraser Watts joins us from Currie; Ben Johnson (Marr) and Will Bordill (Stirling County) will bolster the back row; and second row Rob McAlpine will pull on the pink and black after two years with Edinburgh Rugby.

We also welcome back the familiar faces of Gavin Lowe, who returns from Glasgow Hawks, and Blair McPherson after a brief spell away.

As well as Finn Russell and Murray McConnell taking up professional contracts with Glasgow Warriors and Peter Jericevich becoming player-coach at GHA, Zimbabwean international prop Denford Mutamangira will be leaving the club.

Denford joined Ayr half-way through the 2011/2012 season and was an immediate hit with the Millbrae faithful thanks to his barrelling runs and bruising tackles.

"It is sad to see him go," says head coach Calum Forrester, "and he will be missed by both the fans and the players as he was very popular around the club."

"It has been an awesome experience for me," Denford tells us, "and I will definitely come back to visit.  It's a special club with talented players and coaches and great people on and off the field."

His last words are for those who roared him on during his many appearances.  "The Ayr fans are awesome - very passionate and supportive - and they always showed me love."

We wish him, and Finn, Murray and Peter, all the very best.

Ayr started their pre-season training three weeks ago and play their first friendly on Saturday 9th August away to GHA.


Tuesday 22 July 2014

Ladies' Lunch in aid of Hodgkin Lymphoma

The first Ladies' Lunch of the new season will take place on Saturday 30th August to coincide with the opening match of 2014/15 against Gala.
 
Hodgkin Lymphoma can occur at any age, although most people diagnosed are between the ages of 15 and 35 or are aged 60 and over. - See more at: http://www.lymphomas.org.uk/about-lymphoma/types/hodgkin-lymphoma#sthash.AHtadefB.dpuf

This lunch is going to be spectacular - not only is it my 11th one, it's for a fantastic cause.

I like to try and support something or someone local and previous charities have been Butterfly Events, Renal Cancer Research, Ayrshire Hospice, Breast Cancer and recently I supported Thyroid Cancer due to my mum being diagnosed - she's thankfully now fought this and on the road to recovery.

This time I am going to support one of our own, Robbie Fergusson, as he has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Over 1,800 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma each year in the UK. It can occur at any age but mainly between 15 and 35 years old. The majority of people with Hodgkin Lymphoma will be completely cured. Robbie is going through treatment at present and his first results have been positive, which is fantastic news. Now all we need is researchers to find a cure and that's why we ask for your donations and support - to raise as much as possible to help people affected by this and their families.

So don't delay! All seats must be booked and paid for prior to the event. Please confirm numbers and note interest so I can plan ahead!

Cost - £30 per person (2 course meal, bubbles on arrival and entertainment plus entry to the game)
Time: 12 for 12:30
Place: Marquee at Ayr Rugby Club
Attire: Whatever you want from jeans to frocks

We have our comical speaker Robbie Duncan and our spectacular vocal act Jamie Mac. We will also have the Icandy Butlers taking your drinks orders at the tables to save you queuing at the bar....what more could you ask for. I'm also hoping to have a few stalls but I am awaiting confirmation.  However, as always Ann Summers is supporting us again.

After the lunch there might be a BBQ and more antics from the teams themselves as they want to get involved and show their support. Finally, DJ Neil McColm will be playing a range of music to get everyone onto that dance floor till they drop.

If you want to book a seat/table/stall (stalls are £15 and you bring your own trestle tables etc - just need to know space) or just want to volunteer help on the day get in touch asap! Remember it's a fantastic cause for one of our own so any donations and help appreciated.

- Eilidh Rankin, Ayr RFC Social Co-ordinator, eilidhr@hotmail.com.

Saturday 19 July 2014

Ayr Ladies begin pre-season

Ayr Ladies begin their pre-season training on Monday 21st July at 7pm at the Old Racecourse. 

After a cracking debut season, the ladies are raring to go again, not that they've had much of a break, with Turnberry Beach Rugby, touch rugby sessions and fitness bootcamps keeping them busy over the past few months.

The Ladies are always looking for new recruits, so don't hesitate to get in touch with them via Facebook or Twitter, or pop along to the Old Racecourse to see them in action.