BEER money has helped pint-sized rugby players to develop their game and get ready to mix it with the big boys.

Dunfermline Rugby Club is one of the organisers of an annual event which sees many an elbow bent and an ale supped in the Glen Pavilion for good causes.

This year's Dunfermline Beer Festival will be held on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd October with proceeds split between Dunfermline Roundtable's local charities and the rugby club.

President Hazel Swankie said, "We have invested heavily over the past two seasons at McKane Park with major drainage work to our pitches and refurbishment to our pavilion, which houses our changing facilities for the players.

"All of this necessary work continues the positive development for the future of Dunfermline RFC, which can be seen on the park with many of our youth players now playing in our senior squad.

"Our success in bringing on youth players to move forward into the Scotland national age grade teams was repeated again this season with Murray McCallum in the Scotland under-20 team, Adam Nicol in the U18 team and Connor Crawford an U18 trialist.

"Murray and a former DRFC player, Clark Smith, went on to play and win in the Charity Cup held at BT Murrayfield a few weeks ago before a World Cup warm-up game.

"Another Dumfy success, Gregor McNeish, was selected for the Scottish clubs team playing against their fellow Six Nations counterparts over the international weekends."

She continued, "This would not have been possible without the funds raised from the vital support of the Dunfermline public at this event and the many volunteers that give up their own time to help and ensure another great weekend.

"In turn a lot of the funds raised goes into the unseen work of training up our rugby coaches, team managers and sports first aiders to provide a safe environment for children as young as P1 up to adults at under 18 level."

Swankie said that the rugby club and Roundtable appreciate the "tremendous role" Fife Council has played in helping to support the beer festival over the last decade.

She explained, "Their investment, sound management and improvements to the Glen Pavilion have added to its continuing success and provide Dunfermline with a high quality accessible public venue in the spirit of the Carnegie Trust.

"When added to the all the other support from the council, our players wouldn’t be able to meet the high standards and challenges of a modern day sport without their input in the form of sports development officers, teachers, schools, maintained playing surfaces and gym memberships.

"Advances in strength and conditioning are required to play rugby at every level so our all our fund-raising efforts couldn’t go as far without the use of affordable local community facilities."

And to those planning to attend the beer festival, she said, "We hope that you have an enjoyable weekend and look forward to you visiting McKane Park to enjoy what our club has to offer and take in the atmosphere of a live and local rugby game in this, a World Cup year. Many thanks.”