The club took their under-15s and 16s on tour to Foligno to kick off not just an amazing youth rugby competition but a friendship bonded in the spirit of the sport.
And Dundee's businesses rallied around the club, helping the teams raise the funds to make sure no player was left behind.
Dundee Rugby U16s Coach Richard Duncan said: "Our U15s and U16s Squad at Dundee Rugby had a unique experience over the International Weekend when our National Scotland Team took on Italy in Rome.
"This year behind the scenes of our normal season's club league and cup fixtures, Colin Sangster, our Director of Rugby, was working on establishing links with Foligno Rugby Club in Italy.
"What started with two Foligno Rugby youth players “Kelvin” and “Gregor” attending our summer camp at Alloway Place evolved into an Invitation from their Rugby Club “Foligno” to host our U15s and U16s Squads during the Six Nations when our National Scotland team were scheduled to take on Italy.”
To make this endeavour a reality the club's committee, coaches, volunteers, and parents all got to work on a fundraising strategy that would raise enough funds to cover the costs of the tour and make it affordable so that no player was left behind.
The fundraising was kicked off with a Crowd Funding page, then Tesco Kingsway allowed the club to host a 'Bag Packing' day which kicked off a host of other events...
Duncan said:"Players asked friends and family support the squares raffle, Piperdam Leisure Resort donated a weekend at one of their wooden lodges for our bonus ball, local companies and sponsors donated generously, we would like to thank Coop, Waracle, C J Lang, Rovop, ATL Turbine, Intona, Anon to name a few..
"Plus our Race Night Sponsors and companies Hydroscot Energies, db Law Chartered Surveyors, K9 Dog Walking and to the Race Night Raffle prizes from Kinettles Hotel St Andrews, Willowgate Activity Centre, Carnoustie Golf Links, Edinburgh Rugby, Micheal Brown Solicetors, Glamis Castell, Angus Alchemy, Family Photo Room, Tennents, Dawn 1 Flowers, Gin Bothy, Dundee united, Arbuckles, Lomond Plant, Step Art to name a few.
"Raising more than £32k in a very short five months was a club challenge and without the kindness and hard work of our club's players, committee, coaches, volunteers, parents, sponsors and Piperdam, this 'dream come true' would not have been possible!"
