🏉 FYB Rugby Round Up - 26 October 2026

This week’s stories celebrate major investment in community facilities, an inspirational young fundraiser and recognition for the grassroots organisations that develop future professional players.

£750,000 invested in three Scottish community clubs

Scottish Rugby is investing £750,000 across Biggar RFC, Stirling County RFC and Oban Lorne RFC. Biggar and Stirling County will each receive £250,000 towards new floodlit artificial pitches, helping reduce weather disruption and increase opportunities for training and matches. Oban Lorne will receive the same amount towards modernising its clubhouse and changing facilities, supporting its growing women’s and girls’ sections and creating a more accessible community hub. It is significant backing for projects designed to give players, volunteers and local communities sustainable facilities for years to come.

Wee Gregor’s remarkable fundraising recognised

Five-year-old rugby fan Gregor Corse from Orkney has been named Good Morning Britain’s Young Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards. Gregor, who has a neurological condition affecting his balance and motor skills, completed 30 daily circuits of his garden for 30 days before undertaking sponsored walks to nursery. His efforts have raised around £80,000 for Inclusive Orkney, CLAN Cancer Support and Somas Light. His determination also caught the attention of Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, who joined one of his walks and donated a signed shirt for auction.

IRFU rewards the grassroots behind professional players

The Irish Rugby Football Union has distributed €150,000 to clubs and schools through its Player Development Reward Scheme. The funding recognises organisations that helped develop more than 40 players who progressed into professional provincial rugby during the three seasons from 2023/24 to 2025/26. Payments are weighted towards the contributions made before players turned 18, acknowledging the coaches and volunteers who provide the foundations on which professional careers are built. It is a welcome example of the elite game directly recognising—and financially supporting—the community environments responsible for nurturing its players.

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