Two university rugby teams came together for an annual match last week to raise money for a children’s charity and celebrate the lives of two former players.
Stirling University’s women’s team took on the side from Robert Gordon University at the Airthrey pitches on Wednesday in a memorial game for tragic stars Siobhan Cattigan and Eilidh McNab.
Both sides were playing for the Shibby Memorial Cup - named after former Scotland and Stirling County player Siobhan, who also used to turn out for the university.
The 26-year-old from Callander tragically passed away in November 2021, with her family leading calls for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death after Siobhan received two concussions on international duty in February 2020 and March 2021.
The match raised money for Siobhan’s foundation - “Siobhan’s Legacy of Love”, which raises money for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital and members of Siobhan’s family were in attendance to support the event.
It also offered a poignant opportunity for former university teammates to remember Eilidh, another former Stirling County player who died following an accident at Bracklinn Falls near Callander in 2019 - with the player of the match given that award in her memory.
In addition to last week’s rugby match, the Stirling University’s women’s football team are also arranging their own tribute event for Siobhan today, with proceeds again going to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital.
The confirmed teams for the event are: University of Stirling, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier, Heriot Watt, University of Glasgow, Strathclyde University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Dundee and Alloa Athletic.
Organiser Lauren Hill said the tournament would also help to support Siobhan’s partner Ann Taylor.
Lauren said: “The reason why we’re putting the tournament together is because a few of us play football with Ann and with we really wanted to find a way to support her and Siobhan’s family and help them through these heart-breaking times.
“Siobhan played rugby, her happiest times were at the Uni and we wanted to try and replicate that through the girls we have playing football.
“This is the biggest year of girls we’ve had at SULFC and I’m so proud that we have so many willing to support and remember Siobhan.
“We have previously done a sponsored hill walk for the Siobhan Legacy of Love memorial fund within the Glasgow Children’s Hospital and this tournament we are running we hope to make this a yearly event to allow girls across Scotland to participate in football and help remember Siobhan.”
Ann said: “What Lauren and the girls at SULFC have done to make sure Siobhan is remembered has meant so much and my heart is filled with so much pride.
“I’m beyond proud to be Siobhan’s partner but also proud to be a part of the club because they have shown so much love, respect and support for Siobhan, to her family and to me.
“Words can’t describe the empty hole in our hearts which can never be filled but having an event which brings people together to have fun competing in sport at the University, epitomizes what Siobhan loved.
“Raising funds annually in this way for Siobhan’s Legacy of Love fund I think is the perfect way to remember her as Glasgow Children’s Hospital was a special part of Siobhan’s life as well.”
Kirsten Watson, CEO of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity: “Siobhan supported the charity for more than a decade, and we are honoured to benefit from ‘Siobhan’s Legacy of Love.’
“We first met Siobhan as a teenager, aged 13, where her enthusiasm for fundraising and dedication to helping children was apparent for all to see as she raised vital funds in memory of her baby cousin Chloe.
“The funds now raised by Siobhan’s friends and family are helping children throughout Scotland affected by ill health, supporting their physical and emotional recovery through hippotherapy – combining Siobhan’s love of children and animals.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the University of Stirling Women’s Football team for organising this special tournament and to all the teams participating for choosing to remember Siobhan in such a meaningful way.”
