News — Promoting Renewable Energy through Sport

Monday 8 October 2007

The Oran Group recently presented Perthshire RFC with Scotland’s first solar powered fixtures board.  The environmentally friendly sign incorporates three clocks which are operated using a solar panel that converts sunlight into a source of power.   

The innovative sign was installed in time for the teams first home match of the season again Ellon, which they won 24-16.  Perthshire RFC deliver a youth training programme to Perthshire schools that has been recognised for its excellence across Scotland.   

Located on Perth’s North Inch Ground, it is anticipated the new fixtures board and clocks will benefit not only Perthshire RFC and other local sports teams but also the local community who use the ground for various activities including running and dog walking.   

Jerry Saunders of Perthshire RFC commented “The Club’s Community Development Team are teaching rugby to boys and girls at forty schools across the region, so there is an ever growing interest in watching rugby. Now the new Oran sign will tell everyone who is interested in rugby what’s on at the weekends. The sign has been designed so that other sports events being held at the North Inch can be advertised too. It’s good to see a commercial business putting money aside to support a local amateur sports club.” 

Doug Aitchison, MD of Oran’s UK Operations said “We are very proud to be sponsoring sport in Perth.  As an energy-led waste management company, we feel that our contribution to Perthshire RFC is a fitting one as it promotes renewable energy whilst supporting both a local sports team and a recognised youth initiative.  We hope that the sign and clocks will be enjoyed by various sports teams and the local community for many years to come”.