Saturday marked the 28th annual Dalziel Festival of Youth Rugby - attracting teams from all over Scotland and beyond. Some 40 clubs, including touring sides from Northern Ireland participated in the showcase tournament which is dedicated to the memory of late club stalwart, Alan Calder. Teams from Primary 1 to Under-18 competed for the honours at their respective levels and the prestigious Alan Calder Trophy (for U-18) was won by Dalziel/Strathaven combined. Among the 1000 players and spectators at Dalziel Park were Jim Stevenson, past SRU president, Robert Birch, Dalziel High School Rector and David Waddell of ClubSportNL. Clare Adamson MSP, Councillors Macgowan and Duffy also joined the guests of honour and all were deeply impressed by the scale of the event. Festival Convenor Graham Calder said: “The 28th festival anniversary was only made possible by the huge efforts and hard work of a vast number of people. “The day brings all hands to the pump, from senior players selling raffle tickets to mums baking cakes and committee men flipping burgers. “I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all who helped both over the weekend and, indeed, over the past two and a half decades. “Teamwork and the sense of fun and camaraderie has been the very lifeblood of the event since 1991. We’re sure it will be the driving force for years to come.†The winners were: P1/2 Strathaven Tigers P3 - Dalziel P4 - Northern Ireland Civil Service P5 – Northern Ireland Civil Service Sharks P6 - Hamilton P7- Dumfries U13 – Biggar U14 – Waysiders Drumpellier U-15 – Strathaven U16 – Livingston U18 – Dalziel/Strathaven The Festival was dedicated to the memory of the man who started it all in 1991, Alan Calder (1949 -2008). Alan formed a strong vision which saw the first youth rugby festival held in 1991. He wanted to introduce youngsters to the sport, allow them to enjoy the game and to include everyone, win or lose, irrespective of their ability. In Alan’s words, which he often repeated, "Young players of today are the backbone of tomorrow's club rugby. †Over the years, Dalziel’s Festival has grown in size and popularity. On the third Saturday of every April, hundreds of young players, from clubs across Scotland, flock to Dalziel’s grounds on the outskirts of Motherwell. As well as sustaining the very lifeblood of Scottish rugby, the national event is a lasting tribute to Alan's commitment, leadership and organisational abilities.