ALLOA RUGBY CLUB are continuing preparations at home for when they are allowed to return to training and matches.

The club have been told by the Scottish Rugby Union that this season is finished and next season won't start again until at least August, with hopes that training and preparations will be able to recommence in April or May, with a view to arrange some friendlies at that stage too.

While the last few months have been without competitive action, there has still been plenty going on at the club.

Gary McPhail, vice-president at Alloa Rugby Club, told Advertiser Sport about their activities throughout the lockdown.

He said: "Numbers started going up and up in Clackmannanshire so we decided before we went into total lockdown to just stop training.

"There was no light at the end of the tunnel in terms of games being played so we decided to stop, and then a couple of weeks later the SRU shut things down anyway.

"The kids essentially trained just up until before Christmas."

With Jason Leitch saying an announcement would be coming very soon on lower league football, Gary says there's no chance of a return soon for rugby.

He did say a threat management group will make an update next week, according to the SRU, but this season will not be recommencing.

However, the club have still been keeping fit and active and the ladies team, and their kids, recently climbed Dumyat in aid of charity, raising more than £1,000.

Last October, the group set off from Tullibody Civic Centre and walked through Menstrie before climbing Dumyat in aid of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a charity which raises funds to aid research into Motor Neuron Disease.

Not letting up, four players from the Ladies team also took part in the Big Sleep Out, raising more than £500 for Glasgow City Mission.

Players were keeping fit in the club's gym, and when recent restrictions forced the gym to temporarily close, the players were able to take equipment home to allow them to keep fit.

Nevertheless, the message from the club is clear: Whenever the sport does resume, Alloa will be ready.