A&B MP Brendan O’Hara Councillor Ian MacQuire and SRU Stewart Milne Visit Club

Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Club was delighted to welcome Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara, Councillor Ian MacQuire and Scottish Rugby Union Regional Manager Stewart Milne to the Club for a visit focused on sustainability, community impact and youth development.

The visit provided an opportunity to outline the significant progress the Club has made in reducing its environmental impact. Through the Scottish Gas Energy for Tomorrow crowdfunding appeal, supported by Team GB, the Club has taken meaningful steps towards achieving a net zero footprint. Funding secured through the initiative has enabled improvements to infrastructure and energy efficiency, ensuring that our facilities are fit for the future while reducing long term operating costs.

Club representatives explained how the project was developed, the challenges faced and the practical benefits already being realised. The transition towards more sustainable operations is not simply an environmental commitment, it is a strategic investment in the long term sustainability of the Club. Lower energy consumption and improved efficiency strengthen our ability to reinvest in playing programmes, facilities and community initiatives.

A key part of the visit involved engagement with our Under 13 squad. Players had the opportunity to speak directly with our guests about what rugby means to them and how involvement in the sport has positively influenced their confidence, discipline and teamwork. Their contributions demonstrated clearly that the value of grassroots sport extends well beyond the pitch.

The discussion highlighted how community sport plays a vital role in developing young people, promoting wellbeing and strengthening local connections. The enthusiasm and maturity shown by the U13 players reflected the positive environment being fostered within the Club.

Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Club remains committed to delivering high quality sporting experiences while acting responsibly and sustainably. The support received through the Scottish Gas Energy for Tomorrow initiative has accelerated our journey towards net zero and reinforced the importance of partnership working in achieving long term impact.

We thank our visitors for taking the time to learn more about the Club’s progress and ambitions. Their engagement and interest in both our environmental strategy and youth development programmes is greatly appreciated as we continue to build a sustainable and thriving future for our community.