David Hill Memorial Quaich

On Saturday 11th March 2023, the rugby teams representing both the Scottish Parliament and The Houses of the Irish Oireachtas came together for the inaugural match contesting the David Hill Memorial Quaich. David Hill, aged 30, had tragically died in the same fixture the previous year, playing for the Scottish Parliament side, where he was employed as a senior parliamentary researcher. David died due to a previously undiagnosed cardiac issue.

The annual fixture between the two parliamentary rugby teams, as part of a parliamentary six nations mirroring the main tournament, celebrates rugby and politics, and David had played in it on numerous occasions. Commissioned by his parents Rodger, Sharon, Lesley and Gordon, the David Hill Memorial Quaich is now a permanent trophy remembering David, honouring his life, and celebrating the friendship between the Scottish and Irish Parliaments. This year the Irish team won at Peffermill Pitches in Edinburgh, captained by Senator John Mcgahon with several parliamentarians taking to the field alongside friends, family, former colleagues and rugby compatriots. The match was followed by a Gala Dinner in central Edinburgh, attended by numerous politicians, rugby officials, members of the media and VIP guests, alongside over 200 of David’s family and friends.

The weekend raised over £10,000 for both CRY and the Murrayfield Injured Players Foundation with the Scottish Rugby Union. The aim was to raise both money and awareness of cardiac risk in young people and fund screening for young people in Dumfries, where David was from.