Rugby: Scottish Schools squad reunites 35 years on to raise funds for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation
Last updated 17th Mar 2023
The Scottish Schools Touring squad of 1988 has reunited in the Borders for a bike and hike fundraising challenge in memory of former team-mate Doddie Weir.
Twenty-two former players, and the original rugby coaching staff, are setting off from Carlops, and following a path over the Pentland Hills on their way to BT Murrayfield, to raise money for the My Name's Doddie Foundation, ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with Italy.
The 23km trek followed a 65km cycle from the Carter Bar to Melrose yesterday (Thursday), via Bonchester Bridge, Ancrum and Scott's View (pictured). That's 88km in total, and the team are hoping to raise £88,000.
Among those taking part in the Doddie88 challenge is former Gala player, Richie Gray. He told us: "At the end of day one, there are a few sore bodies but it's just great to catch up with everybody again.
"The guys have made an incredible effort to get here - some have come from Australia, Malta, South Africa, Singapore, France. A number went on to represent their country, and Doddie obviously went on to represent the Lions as well.
"Doddie wanted to raise money to find a cure for MND, but he also wanted all his friends, and people around the rugby community, to catch up with old friends, and make sure you enjoy each other's company when you can; because life's too short, and you never know what's round the corner."
READ MORE: SNP leadership race: Your questions answered
The squad of '88 were the first Scottish schools team to tour New Zealand - and Richie, a pupil at Galashiels Academy at the time, revealed it was "definitely one of the most memorable".
He recalled: "Eighteen-years-old, in a tour bus, we travelled the length and breath of the North and South islands; playing games every Wednesday and Saturday, and then finishing with a game against New Zealand schoolboys at Eden Park, which was an incredible experience for us all."
Playing against Otago, Taranaki and Waikato district sides, amongst others, the team spirit that they built and the experiences they endured built the foundations for life-long friendships and bond that still remains strong today.
READ MORE: First guests announced for this year's Borders Book Festival
Head Coach of the touring squad was Rob Moffat, who is now Director of Rugby at Melrose. He said: “It is great that so many of that squad have reunited to do this challenge for Doddie and MND. He was a huge presence on and off the field on that tour and would have loved the banter that will be shared over these three days.
“It shows what the camaraderie in rugby is all about and what Doddie meant to this group. It will also further help the MND cause which Doddie worked tirelessly for, over the past few years.”
The Scottish Schools touring squad of New Zealand 1988: Doddie Weir (Stewarts Melville), Gary Kenhard, Captain (Harris Academy), Stuart Paul (George Heriot’s), Dan Pulfrey (Morrisons Academy), Barnaby White (Golspie High School), Jeremy Jowett, Graeme Walsingham, Nick White and Andy Hay (all Merchiston Castle), Russell Adam, Andy Ness, Karl Squires and Gary Sisman* (all Dollar Academy), Scott Aitken, Steve Brotherstone, Richard Brown and Graham Shiel (all Earlston High School), Max Adam and Kris Boon (both Strathallan), Andy Nicol and Geordie McGill (Dundee High School), Bruce Thomson and Scott Nicol (both Selkirk High School), Rory Dickson and Douglas Archibald (both Berwickshire High School) and Richie Gray (Galashiels Academy).
*Gary Sisman sadly passed away in an aviation accident in 1992. He was a talented outside half and a fantastic tourist.
To donate - visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/doddie88