American basketballer and Glasgow Rocks star Earl Brown wears a kilt for the first time and scores a slam dunk for Kiltwalk in the process
American basketballer and Glasgow Rocks star Earl Brown donned his first ever kilt on Tartan Day in a bid to promote the Kiltwalk.
The team at Glenisla Kilts had a tall ask on their hands making sure they had a kilt to fit the 6’6” basketball star ahead of this month’s Glasgow Kiltwalk.
Players for Scotland’s professional basketball team are encouraging charitable walkers across the city to take part in the event to raise funds for Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) – and they were looking the part as they gave the iconic Scottish garment a whirl in a bid to promote the Kiltwalk.
The stars were shooting hoops in Kiltwalk kilts ahead of Tartan Day on 6 April after Rocks’ training at the Emirates Arena, just a mile from Glasgow Green, where the Glasgow Kiltwalk will start on April 29.
Daniel Bajwoulk, general manager at Glasgow Rocks said: “The Rocks are proud to have the opportunity to be associated with the Kiltwalk especially due to our ever-strengthening partnership with Scottish Sports Futures (SSF).
“Hopefully anyone looking to participate in the Kiltwalk considers SSF as their choice. I know first-hand how hard they work and what they have been able to achieve across Scotland since they were established back in 2000. To all those making the Kiltwalk trek this year, I wish you all the best and be sure to stay hydrated”.
Paul Cooney, chief executive of the Kiltwalk, added: “We are really pleased to have netted the Glasgow Rocks, Scotland’s only professional basketball team, as ambassadors for the event. I hope this will encourage Rocks’ fans to walk for SSF, or any Scottish charity.”
Walkers can choose to walk for any charity of their choice, including Scottish Sports Futures, a charity which inspires positive lifestyle choices and promotes healthy change within some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young communities.
Emma Reid, development manager at Scottish Sport Futures, said: "We’re proud to have the Glasgow Rocks as motivational role models to thousands of young people across Scotland.
“We are delighted that they’re encouraging people to walk the 2018 Kiltwalk in support of our charity. For us, the Kiltwalk is a perfect fit. It represents the inspiring, challenging and life-changing impact sport and physical activity can have when used and delivered in the right way.
“The young people get a real buzz from being involved and the fundraising potential is critical to our survival. We love being a part of the occasion. "
Kiltwalk backers The Hunter Foundation to up every £100 raised by a walker to £140/
Last year, more than 14,000 people took part in the Kiltwalk helping to raise over £1.9 million and with The Hunter Foundation’s top up, over £2.6 million was raised for 780 charities across Scotland.
Walkers can choose from four Kiltwalks this year, the first in Glasgow on 29 April, Aberdeen on 3 June, St Andrews to Dundee on 19 August and Edinburgh on 16 September. Each walk has three distances to choose from to suit people of all ages and abilities. With Glasgow, the 23-mile Mighty Stride starts in Glasgow Green and ends in Balloch, there’s also a 15-mile Big Stroll and six-mile Wee Wander.
