The family of tragic former Stirling County and Scotland rugby star Siobhan Cattigan have slammed Scotland’s rugby authorities for failing to meet an MSP looking into her case.
The 26-year-old passed away suddenly in November 2021, with the cause of her death never fully explained.
Parents Neil and Morven have since claimed that rugby-related brain damage caused a decline in Siobhan’s health following two serious concussions suffered on international duty.
They say Siobhan, from Callander, was not provided with the required assistance following the head injuries in February 2020 and April 2021.
The family had hoped that Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson would meet with MSP Sue Webber last week to discuss her efforts to look into any alleged potential failings in medical care.
However, the meeting was postponed – with a statement from the Cattigans posted on social media deeply critical of Mr Dodson.
The statement said: “In the 14 months since our cherished daughter’s passing we are still no further forward in seeking answers from Scottish Rugby.
“We were hopeful questions could be posed, answers provided and arrangements for an independent inquiry that is so desperately necessary be set in motion.
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“Could Mark Dodson not find an hour in his schedule in over two months to discuss what we firmly believe to be a totally avoidable tragedy and what no-one should want to become a stain on Scottish rugby?
“Our beautiful daughter mattered more than life to us, and she lost hers playing under the flag Mr Dodson will once again be representing in the Six Nations.
“Continuing to ignore us and brazenly refusing to meet with an MSP is dishonouring Siobhan’s memory. She gave almost five years of her life playing for Scotland.
“She matters, she always has and she always will and her beautiful kind heart, pure soul and incredible talent deserves to be remembered and revered. She deserves to be honoured and we are not going away.”
Meanwhile, Ms Webber - a Conservative MSP for the Lothian region - said on her Facebook page: “I took up this case last year and have approached the union for answers to the Cattigans’ concerns over alleged failings in the medical and pastoral care their daughter received between suffering the two concussions while on Scotland duty and her death 14 months ago.
“I am still determined to meet with Mr Dodson despite the late cancellation of two meetings now. Siobhan’s family have waited long enough.”
The news of Siobhan’s death came as a massive shock in the Stirling rugby community, with the club hosting a special friendly match at Bridgehaugh to honour the popular back-row forward, who won 19 caps for her country.
An SRU spokesman told the Observer that a date for a meeting between Mr Dodson and Ms Webber is to be set within the next fortnight.
The spokesman added that contact was made with Siobhan’s parents in October and November last year and asserted that a “fact-finding process” led by an external law firm has been progressing, with “significant time” being dedicated to ensure the issues are handled correctly.
He added that ongoing legal action launched by the Cattigans against Scottish Rugby limited what could be said on the case, with “ongoing communications” underway between the respective legal teams over the family’s claim.
