As well as a European title, England’s Mens 35 squad will also have another piece of silverware to play for at the European Championships in Italy this September.

Following the tragic passing of Simon Yarrow last year, the English and Scottish Touch Associations have agreed to contest a trophy – the Yarrow Memorial Cup – between the two most senior international representative sides. This year that will be the respective Mens 35 teams, a move that has the full backing of FIT and the Euros organising committee.

After hearing about the trophy, England Touch Associations Vice President and M35 Coach,Mike Roa, commented: “it will be a great way to remember Simon whilst playing the game he loved”. Jeff Bimson, M40s coach added “All the former and current members of the England 40′s are extremely grateful for the contribution Simon made to the team as both a coach and a player. I think it would be fair to say, without Simon’s commitment, enthusiasm and dedication then the England 40′s would not be around today. The match and trophy are a fitting tribute to person who gave so much to the sport and although our squad will not have the chance to play in the inaugural game, we will be there to support both the England and Scotland 35′s in memory of a dear friend.”

Simon will be remembered as a passionate contributor to Touch.  Simon played for both Scotland and England, and coached and refereed at international level while not forgetting his grass roots and inspiring many to take up the game through social park Touch. The trophy will therefore commemorate Simon’s contribution to senior mens Touch as well as providing added incentive for the sport at senior level.

Award Criteria

The Yarrow Memorial Cup (“the Cup”) will be awarded as follows:

• The competing teams for the Cup will be the most senior mens teams fromScotlandandEnglandat that year’s main FIT sanctioned international event.  This is likely to restrict competition to the European Championships, Home Nations/ Mainland Cup and World Cup.
• If one nation is unable to field a side at the relevant tournament, the match drops to the next most senior pairing.  For example, Scotland do not have an M40 side at the 2012 European Championships so the match will take place between the two M35 sides.
• The relevant match to decide who wins the Cup will be the final match between the two sides in the tournament.  If that match results in a draw (i.e. it is not at the tournament knock-out stage where a drop-off is played), then the current holder of the Cup retains it.
• The presentation will be jointly made by the STA and ETA presidents to the winning team captain.  This should, subject to agreement from the tournament organising committee, form part of the official prize-giving ceremony.
• It will be the responsibility of the winning team’s association to have the Cup inscribed with the year of their win and their country name.

Simon’s family have insisted on commissioning the trophy, in recognition of the joy the sport had given Simon and during a recent visit to Edinburgh they were delighted to present the cup to STA President, Peter Faassen de Heer.

Peter said: “I want to thank Simon’s family for the trophy -  it’s a beautiful piece of work.  I love that it has a rose on one side and thistle on the other,  It’s a fitting tribute and should provide a lasting legacy to Simon’s involvement in the sport.”

Photo above shows the giving of the cup by Simon’s parents and brother to the STA President (and good friend of Simon’s) Peter Faassen de Heer.