Scotland rugby legend to visit isles for sports week

Former Scottish rugby star Chris Paterson will be visiting the isles to take part in Shetland Sports Week, part of the Games for Scotland programme, at the start of October.

Paterson is Scotland’s cap and points record holder and in a glittering 12-year international career which started in 1999 and ended in 2011 at his fourth Rugby World Cup – a record for a Scot – he played 109 times for his country.

He contributed 809 points through 22 tries, 170 penalties, 90 conversions and three drop goals. He was frequently his country’s match winner through the unerring accuracy of his right boot – borne of many hours of selfless practice on the training field.

Now in his new role as Scottish Rugby ambassador, Paterson is excited at the prospect of making his first visit to Shetland.

He said: “I’m very much looking forward to making my first trip to Shetland. I’ve heard a lot about the work that Shetland Rugby Club and development officer Daniel Meadows are doing and I’m really keen to see that first hand.”

The announcement of Paterson’s visit follows a commitment from Chris Hildrey, area manager at Highland Institute of Sport, to bring sport science staff to Shetland to deliver a coaching workshop and talk on strength and conditioning and supporting talented athletes in Shetland.

During Shetland Sports Week people will be able to look back over 100 years of Shetland’s sporting culture with a digital photo exhibition shown around Shetland Museum.

Jane McLaren, graduate placement in dance with Shetland Islands Council, has been commissioned to deliver a schools dance programme with performances planned for the opening event at Clickimin on Saturday 29th September and at the closing party for volunteers and friends of the event at Islesburgh on Saturday 6th October.

The SIC’s sport and leisure service is planning up to 100 events and activities across the isles including athletics, bowls, basketball, rugby and football. A full programme of events will be published in September.

Sports development officer Bob Kerr said: “Shetland Sports Week is taking shape with a huge commitment from local clubs and volunteers to open their doors to the public and encourage everyone to give something a go.

“The week offers an unprecedented opportunity to help meet the legacy challenge of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is a fantastic chance to showcase Shetland sports and for people to take part in free sports activities and workshops across Shetland.”