Published on:
07
March 2013
Alloa Academy sixth year pupil, Megan Thomson, won her first Scottish international cap last week when she turned out for the Scotland Under-20s Women's Rugby team against Finland at Lasswade, Edinburgh.
What made Megan's international all the more remarkable is that is only 17-years-old and still in the girls rugby category. She had to get special dispensation to play women's rugby.
And it was made all worthwhile when she pulled on the Scottish jersey and came off the bench to win her first Under-20s cap in Scotland's 17-7 win over Finland. She was following in the footsteps of Lyndsay O'Donnell, 19, who is an ex-Alloa Academy pupil, and who captained the Scotland team last week. Lindsey is now at university in Worcester.
"It was an amazing experience," said Megan. "I was so proud and extremely honoured to represent my country. And having all my family and friends in the crowd to cheer me on made it a very special day all round."
Megan's rugby career began seven years ago, when aged just 10, she went along to Alloa Rugby Football Club, with her brother Christopher.
Megan added: "I used to play football, but when I went a long that first day to the rugby club I became hooked on the game."
A flanker, Megan switched to being a back-row forward, after having started her rugby career as an inside centre when she made the step up from girls rugby to women's rugby.
Megan has been a member of Stirling County Rugby Club since she was 13, as Alloa RFC don't have a girls rugby set-up. Under coaches Davie McMillan and Duncan Fisher her game progressed rapidly and last season she was part of the Stirling team which lifted the Brew and Dolphin Bowl and next week her club side, currently top of the table, will be bidding for a place in the Scottish Premier Division.
Megan came to the international selectors attention when she attended an under-18 pathway coaching event, which was attended by Scottish Under-20s head coach, Jules Maxton. From there she was invited to the Scottish trials at the Edinburgh University training ground at Peffermill and was selected for the international squad.
"I came on just after the start of the second half and played 30 minutes of the match and was praised afterwards for my tackling and ball carrying," beamed Megan. "I loved every minute of it."
Megan, from Mar Policies, Alloa, was watched at the match by her proud parents Angela and Colin, as well as her grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousin. The only one missing was her brother Christopher, who she describes as her "inspiration."
He is now at university and plays his rugby with Hamilton Rugby Club, and was involved in a match himself on the same day, but called his sister before the match and a text of congratulations afterwards.
Education, Sport and Leisure Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson, also passed on her congratulations to Clackmannanshire's newest international sporting star.
Councillor Forson said: "Megan has clearly worked extremely hard to have got to this level. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment to achieve what she has. I would like to congratulate her on her cap and the honour she has not just brought on the school, her family and herself, but the whole of Clackmannanshire."
Megan, who leaves school in May, is aiming to go to university with the ambition of a career in child nursing.