Barrie Family set up a new charity in Highland capital to help grow the game of rugby in the region.
Highland RFC is delighted to announce a partnership with The George Barrie Rugby Foundation, to advance public participation in sport, but specifically youth rugby in the Highland Rugby Club catchment area, with a dedicated focus on involvement and inclusion.
The George Barrie Rugby Foundation is being set up in memory of George Barrie, for over 60 years a stalwart of Highland Rugby Club as a player and captain in the 1950s, as fixture secretary, club secretary and referee in the 1960s through to the 1980s and latterly as Honorary President until his passing in 2012.
George was a long-time champion of youth rugby who devoted time, effort and his own resources to encouraging young players to take up and maintain their involvement in rugby. As a well-connected accountant he also persuaded a large number of local businessmen to support the Highland cause and it was once reported that ‘he used his accountancy business as a front for his rugby activities’.
To mark 10 years since George’s death and to coincide with the centenary of Highland Rugby Club, his family are setting up a charitable foundation with the primary purpose of growing participation in youth rugby in the Highland Rugby Club catchment area (Inverness and environs). The George Barrie Foundation will essentially be a fund-raising vehicle with a dedicated focus on broadening involvement and inclusion in the game, especially for young players where financial access may be an issue and barrier to taking part.
George’s son Alan Barrie, himself a former Highland scrum-half, will act as Chair of the Trustee Board and an experienced group of Trustees has been assembled to provide the necessary governance and guidance, both from a rugby perspective and in relation to the business management aspects of running a successful charity.
“My father would have been delighted with the success Highland have enjoyed at all levels in recent years” said Alan “He believed that the future of the club lies in its youth so we’re delighted to set up this Foundation in his name. Highland have a clear community focus and we hope to support its ambition to get more youngsters involved in the game. If they have half as much fun as we have had over the years it will all be worthwhile”.
It is the intention of the Foundation to pursue income generating activities from a number of sources, ranging from local and national commercial sponsorship/donations to raising money through private donations and specific events aimed at boosting the resources of the Foundation. Over £20,000 has already been pledged to the new charity, giving it a flying start in Highland Rugby Club’s centenary year.
The Trustees of the George Barrie Rugby Foundation will work closely with members of Highland RFC to identify individuals who require support to assist youth players to compete in playing rugby. This support will embrace boys and girls of all age groups and may take the form of assistance with travel costs and kit costs.
Funding of the new SCIO, will come from the Barrie family, as well as a donation from Highland RFC.
Highland Rugby Club President Graham Findlater Said “The club would like to thank Alan Barrie and his family for giving young players in the area an opportunity to play rugby”.
“He (George) believed that the future of the club lies in its youth so we’re delighted to set up the Foundation in his name”