“I love it” – Kelso’s Allison Whitson to deliver match ball at Thunder clash

“Most of my spare time is taken up with rugby in some shape or form and I love it,” says Allison Whitson, the Kelso stalwart who will deliver the match ball ahead of Saturday’s Celtic Challenge match between Edinburgh Rugby and Brython Thunder.

As part of an initiative shining a light on the community heroes driving the women’s and girls’ game in Scotland, Whitson’s presence at Hive Stadium marks a journey that began nearly two decades ago.

Originally from Glasgow, Whitson moved to the Borders in 2008 and has been a fixture at Kelso RFC for over a decade. After a six-year playing career with Kelso Ladies and a stint as team manager, she identified a critical gap in the local pathway.

“Seeing the lack of females in the sport in the Borders, myself and two other ex-players, with the help of our YDO, set up Kelso Girls Rugby and I haven’t looked back,” she explains.

Her impact now stretches across the region, having collaborated with coaches from Gala and Berwick to create Borders Girls’ Rugby, providing vital playing opportunities for U16 and U18 players from various clubs.

Whitson’s dedication has translated into significant success on and off the pitch. Her proudest moments include winning the league two years running with Kelso Ladies and seeing the Borders Girls’ U16s – a squad featuring ten Kelso players – claim the East/West League this year.

However, a personal accolade remains particularly close to her heart: “My proudest achievement was being nominated and winning East Region Volunteer of the Year in Schools Rugby 2021/22.

“This was very humbling. I put so much into coaching girls’ rugby as well as supporting the girls off the pitch and at school and never expected to receive such an award for doing what I love.”

As she prepares to step onto the Hive Stadium turf this Saturday, the moment serves as a reflection of the sport’s rapid evolution.

“It will be a great honour to deliver the match ball as I’ve always championed women’s and girls’ rugby,” Whitson says. “To see how far the women’s game has come in the last few years is amazing. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I feel we are beginning to turn a corner.”