Rugby participation continues to grow in Grampian, especially at youth level. Some notable recent successes include Aberdeen Wanderers who have had an influx of players from the after school clubs run by Aberdeen Youth Rugby Association. Players are encouraged to join their local club to further develop their rugby and to strengthen the club-school links in the City. Moray Rugby Club has also had a huge increase in numbers this season, at all ages, and now has over 150 members in its junior section.
Gareth Waldron, one of the Garioch Rugby Club Community Coaches, left at the start of the year to take a post as a rugby development officer back in his native New Zealand. His replacement, Euan Gee, has taken over the highly successful schools coaching role and has already made a big impact – particularly at Meldrum Academy where girls’ rugby now has a regular attendance of 15.
But it’s not only at Meldrum that girls’ rugby has been thriving. This season has seen a huge increase in activity, mainly through local schools. At the forefront is Aboyne Academy that, through the efforts of teacher David Kirby, is running teams at both U15 and U18 level. Girls’ rugby has also started at The Gordons School in Huntly where Graham Allardice was approached by pupils to run sessions and a core of nearly 30 girls now take part. The season in Grampian culminates with a Girls’ Development Day at Aboyne on the 28 May, supported by the SWRU and Aberdeenshire Council, aiming for over 100 girls from P6 upwards to take part in coaching and games.
Meanwhile all 17 Aberdeenshire secondary schools have had some success with school teams or in setting up after school rugby sessions, with the support of local club development officers and volunteers. Aberdeen Youth Rugby Association Development Officer, Colin Philips, also arranged an emerging schools gathering in February involving Westhill, St Machar, Bankhead, Old Machar, Harlaw and Hazlehead.
Grassroots rugby in Grampian was given a boost after seven local clubs currently working with Scottish Rugby on youth development (Aberdeen Grammar, Aberdeen Wanderers, Aberdeenshire, Banff, Ellon and Garioch) received essential kit from Scottish Hydro Electric to help them develop young rugby talent. The kit included items such as rugby balls, tackle bags and tackle shields with Aberdeen Wanderers’ famous old boy – Scotland Captain Jason White – on hand to present them with their kit.
Elsewhere, Bramble Brae Primary school in Aberdeen was one of the first schools to receive a signed certificate from the Scotland team to mark completion of the six-week block of rugby coaching combined with a healthy eating and food hygiene initiative. The pilot project, involving Scottish Rugby and the Food Standards Agency Scotland, has delivered to 600 pupils in 22 P5 and P6 classes in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City .
For further information on rugby in Grampian please contact RDM Pete Young on 07764 178941 or at peter.young@sru.org.uk
The second round of Angus Secondary tournaments took place in February, aiming to build on the first (in approx 20 years) that were held in November. Angus DO Kenny Christie ran two events for S1/2 and S3/4, both attended by approx 80 players representing the majority of the region’s secondary schools.
The Kirkcaldy ‘Community Blues’ Project which was launched in November last year, has since seen taster sessions delivered in a number of primary schools in the town by the club’s development team. These sessions are being followed up with festivals at the club, which is already seeing an increase in numbers at the ‘Wee Blues’ training on a Sunday.
Andy Cummins has replaced Doc McKelvey (now in Coach Development with Scottish Rugby) as Perthshire Rugby Club DO. With a schools’ programme that has seen attendance exceed 7000 already this season, Andy will have his hands full. Such is the success and reputation of the React-2-Rugby programme that Perth & Kinross Council has added its support to help ensure development.
Building on the growth of girls’ rugby in Perthshire schools, Crieff & Strathearn RFC has launched a girls’ section.
They recently fielded their first ever female XV against Cowal RFC and the girls also played a demonstration match against Breadalbane Academy at half-time during the recent Scotland ‘A’ match against Ireland at McDiarmid Park .
Perthshire RFC provided ball boys and a guard of honour for the match, with two of their young players (Andrew Fenton and Frazer Davidson) invited to lead the Scotland team out as mascots, for successfully completing levels of the club’s Passport-2-Rugby.
For more information rugby in the region please contact RDM Neil Carrie on 07764 178915 or at neil.carrie@sru.org.uk
The Edinburgh Development team welcomed Kirsty Hewitt as project officer for the ‘Tackling Health’ programme, launched by Scotland captain Mike Blair earlier this year in Craigroyston. The 20-week project, a partnership between Scottish Rugby and NHS Lothian, aims to increase physical activity and mental wellbeing amongst the local community using rugby. “So far there’s been a positive response from boys and girls,” says Kirsty. With help from Active School Co-ordinators and BATs – the project set up by Broughton, Edinburgh Accies and Trinity Accies rugby clubs – children from Craigroyston Community High School and Craigroyston and Pirniehall Primary Schools are learning some fun rugby skills.
Ben Fisher (Rugby Development Officer, City of Edinburgh) recently delivered a Foundation Rugby Coaching Course to students at Edinburgh’s Telford College. Some are already jumping at the chance to use their new skills including Stewart Fraser and Ali Edwards (assisting at the Leith Primary club) and Sarah Quick (coaching the girls at Murrayfield Wanderers Youth Section). Nineteen students from Stevenson College also took part in a Foundation course, the first time one has been run there for a number of years.
Meanwhile the inaugural ‘West League’ for local schools is coming to an end, as is the City's 10s programme. As Richard Fleming (CDO Forrester React-2-Rugby) reports on the former, “Results so far see Queensferry HS romping away at both age groups, winning a total of six games from eight, but the encouraging point to note is that ALL schools involved have participated in a minimum number of games. Plans are in place to continue the league next year, possibly expanding the age groups.”
Midlothian schools’ 10s programme culminated in a floodlit cup held at Lasswade RFC in March. Five out of six local secondaries took part, at two age groups (S1/2 & S3/4) with Dalkeith Campus running out overall series winners. All this school delivery is proving rewarding for local clubs, with a large number of new recruits being welcomed. Plans to maintain this, as well as recruit and retain adult players, are being developed with the help of new ‘mini’ and ‘veterans’ forums to support the local Development Groups.
In conjunction with Watsons Ladies RFC and local schools, DO Ben Fisher has held sessions for S1 to S3 girls to come along and give rugby a try on Friday afternoons at Meggetland. The girls have their first ever 'proper' game against a group of similarly experienced girls from Balerno next December.
To discuss any aspect of rugby in the region contact RDM Greg Cann on 07799 838 333 or at greg.cann@sru.org.uk
BORDERS & EAST LOTHIAN
With another Club Development Officer at Selkirk and a community coach recruited for the Berwickshire area, the development team working within the Borders and East Lothian now numbers 15; and each major Borders’ town now has a member of club staff actively recruiting and retaining rugby players. Celebrating this fact, the Borders Development Officer team was joined by Councillor Graham Garvie (Scottish Borders Council Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Community Education) in the picture (below).
Work within women’s and girls’ rugby has included development days and the introduction of a new team in Langholm. Success has also been achieved by Gala girls, winning the final of the U15 national youth cup, and by Melrose reaching the final of the U18 youth cup.
School rugby has also been to the fore with Dunbar Grammar and Preston Lodge High School competing in the final of the Bell Lawrie Bowl (Dunbar triumphing 22-12), Kelso HS winning the U15 Bell Lawrie Plate final and Jedburgh Grammar winning the U18 Bowl final. Meanwhile in youth rugby, Gala Wanderers, Hawick Wanderers and Musselburgh Colts reached the last stages of the John Lewis Youth League cup, with Musselburgh defeated by Stirling in the final.
For further information contact RDM Brian Renwick on 07764 178 901 or at brian.renwick@sru.org.uk
Stewartry has just appointed former SVQ student John Muir as its club development officer (CDO) while Dumfries is in the process of appointing a new CDO. Meanwhile Irvine Rugby Club recently employed two community coaches, coordinated by North Ayrshire, to deliver rugby programmes including new image and contact resulting in an increase of 30 new players at the club.
After nine years in National 3, Whitecraigs recently gained promotion, a great effort from all involved in the team. The club as a whole is on a high with the second XV also gaining promotion from their division and winning SHE club of the month.
During March and April the Ayrshire secondary schools’ sevens have been taking place at Marr College, Irvine RFC and Kilmarnock RFC. More schools have participated in the competitions this year, with coaches noting an improving standard of play. Earlier this month Ayr RFC again hosted the Scottish International Festival of Rugby, with teams from Wales, England and Ireland joining their Scottish counterparts for a great weekend of rugby and friendship.
As the profile of school rugby in Ayrshire has increased, this season welcomed the first Ayrshire Development Schools League for U15 and Senior pupils. Allowing schools to compete actively in rugby throughout the academic year, the league has attracted schools throughout the area, many not traditionally associated with rugby. As a result, Ayrshire rugby clubs have witnessed an increase in schools players joining U15, U17 and U18 teams at club level.
For further information on rugby in the region, contact RDM Glen Tippett on 07764 178913 or at glen.tippett@sru.org.uk
The region is about to appoint its 10th Rugby Development Officer – a fantastic achievement, considering only three were in place in 2007. This increase has been made possible by Scottish Rugby’s commitment to community rugby and increased funding from a variety of partners including clubs and local authorities.
A unique partnership in Argyll & Bute sees Scottish Rugby teaming up with five local clubs, Argyll & Bute Council and the SSC (a club for the youth of Scotland) to fund an Argyll & Bute Rugby Development Officer/Youth Worker. This post will be the first of its kind in Scotland and will play a huge role in developing both rugby and youth initiatives in the area.
Congratulations to West of Scotland Rugby Club who, following their recent SHE club of the month award, clinched the Premier 2 trophy to return to the top flight of Scottish club rugby. With over 250 players in their excellent junior section, the future is looking bright for the Glasgow club.
May sees the return of the Glasgow City U16 Youth 7s and the Lanarkshire U20 7s. The former event will take place at Cartha QP on 10 May and will involve 16 teams from around the country, competing for the cup and plate trophies. The Lanarkshire U20 7s, organised by Scottish Rugby, Hamilton Sports Council and Hamilton Rugby Club, will take place on Sunday 18 May at Hamilton. This event gives boys an opportunity to play with and against players their own age.
Following a successful rugby roadshow, around 80 players are now taking part in rugby satellite clubs throughout the island of Mull. The event involved a coaching programme for youngsters in various outlying primary schools, secondary school coaching updates, club coaching updates and two teacher in-service courses.
Glasgow North hosted a Long Term Player Development Workshop on 21 April at Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC with clubs/schools invited to send two representatives to participate in the discussion.
To further information on this or rugby in the region, contact RDM Kenny Murray at kenny.murray@sru.org.uk
Ten Central secondary schools have been playing in the Rugby Plus Central Schools Cup Competition. To ensure all schools have a reasonable chance to progress in the tournament, a Shield, Bowl, Plate and Quaich Competition for teams knocked out of the main Cup Competition was introduced. In the first of five finals McLaren High School won the Rugby Plus Quaich (pictured right).
The newly formed Clackmannanshire Girls Rugby Team has been in action with the 16 girls currently registered attending SWRU development days and the two international women’s matches against France and England, where some of the squad were selected as ball girls. The team also took part in the Girls’ Youth Cup and will be attending a talent ID 10s Tournament in Edinburgh.
The Central Schools’ Rugby Champions Programme was officially launched in March by Scottish Rugby, in partnership with SportCentral, to increase secondary schools’ rugby participation. The programme involves identifying, supporting and rewarding a suitable school staff member to act as the Champion for Rugby, who will receive a package of incentives including Scottish Rugby kit and Coach Education support. Each Champion will then help their school work towards a three level accreditation scheme – Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Ally Hogg the Central Schools’ Rugby Champion Ambassador with the Central Schools’ Rugby Champions.
Meanwhile Stirling County’s U15 squad had a very successful run in the National Midi competition. After qualifying in second place from their group they overcame old rivals Dunfermline in a tense semi final, then overcame Currie in the final to run out 18-10 winners.
The Generic Support Services Programme(GSSP) has begun in Central, rolled out in partnership with SportCentral, Scottish Rugby and sportscotland. Including sixty U15 and U16 rugby players from Central Clubs and Schools, the programme aims to introduce young players to strength and conditioning at an early age.
For further information please contact RDM John Manson on 07764 178917 or at john.manson@sru.org.uk
Congratulations to Caithness U15 team (pictured) for winning the Caledonia Youth League U15 Division 2 North and Stornoway U16 team (pictured at the foot of article) who were successful in winning the Caledonia Youth League U16 Division 2 North. These accomplishments are further indication of the growth of youth rugby in the region and testament to the commitment of both players and volunteers.
Clubs have travelled the length and breadth of the Highlands to take part in mini and midi festivals, with the Caithness, Moray and Ross Sutherland events bringing the series to a conclusion. In addition, Highland competed with distinction in the recent North S1 and S2 tournaments in Aberdeen. Meanwhile, putting in an equally impressive performance, a fast and agile Grantown-on-Spey team were unlucky to lose out to Melrose 31-36 in the SWRU U18 Cup semi-final.
The project between the Food Standards Agency Scotland and Scottish Rugby to educate children on the importance of food hygiene and healthy eating – using rugby to reinforce these messages and increase activity – has concluded. Over 420 pupils in the region were involved, with thanks due to the teachers for the class work and the local rugby club SVQs, Community Coach, college students and local authority Active Schools Co-ordinators for the rugby coaching.
As part of Scottish Rugby’s commitment to continued development of coaches, a variety of updates have recently taken place. More courses are planned, including the first ever UKCC Level 2 course to be held in the North, on 27/28th September and 1/2nd November. In addition, the North Rugby Conference is being held in Elgin on Sunday 18 May. This major event is open to representatives from all clubs and schools in the Highlands and Islands and Grampian.
For more on rugby in Highlands & Islands contact RDM Brian Bell on 07971 60380 or at brian.bell@sru.org.uk
The traditional University Wednesday Leagues came to a conclusion in the middle of February, after some tight matches over the winter months. In Men’s Division 1, Dundee University triumphed over Stirling University in a final day decider at Riverside while two of the oldest Universities in Scotland battled it out to avoid relegation to Division 2 – St Andrews University beat old rivals Edinburgh, thus consigning Edinburgh to Division 2 next season. Meanwhile Aberdeen University is promoted to Division 1 next season with Glasgow University 1XV, Robert Gordon’s University 1XV, Glasgow University 2XV and Scottish Agricultural College (Ayr) also winning their respective leagues.
With Edinburgh University Women’s 1XV trying their hand at BUSA Premier League level for the first time this season, the door was open for one of Scotland’s other Women’s University teams to win the Women’s Scottish Championship. At the end of a dramatic season, three teams tied on 15 points with only points’ difference ensuring Glasgow University top spot. Twenty men’s and women’s teams qualified for various BUSA knockout competitions this season – Robert Gordon’s took on University of Essex in the final of the BUSA vase at the end of April, narrowly losing 10-15.
At the start of season 2007/08, it was decided that many of the Men’s University teams would be better served playing weekend rugby in their own competition. So the Canterbury University Development League was born to give more playing opportunities to those players and teams who had struggled to get any decent level of competition previously. Nine teams from across Scotland set out to try and win the inaugural competition and, with it, a set of playing strips from league sponsors, Canterbury of New Zealand – and there’s still all to play for in the remaining weeks of the season.
Photograph courtesy Antony Stone, SUSphoto.com
Elsewhere the Scottish Universities representative programme staged a trial at Perthshire RFC, followed by larger squad sessions leading to a working squad of 35 players representing eleven different Universities in Scotland. The first match, against Irish Colleges, saw Scottish Universities succumb to defeat. Then, in the reintroduction of the student Calcutta Cup, Scottish Universities faced England Students. Buoyed by the large crowd, including the Scotland Women’s team who had taken time out of their own preparations, Scotland battled bravely but couldn’t overcome their opponents. The final match of the series was against Combined Services U23, at Lasswade RFC. Although Combined Services ran out winners, the home side scored the best try of the night when Heriot Watt pair, Saunders and McAllister combined to score under the posts.
February kicked off with the U18 Inter District Championship (IDC) where Caledonia was in superb form. The squad stuck to the game plan with ball presentation and offloading skill in all three matches, with credit to head coach Colin Sangster and backs coach Kenny Grieve for work done over the previous months. As reward for their efforts, five Midlands players were selected for the national U18 squad – Jason Hill, Grant Gilchrist (both Stirling County), Mike Fedo, Ross Aitken and Rory Drummond (all Howe of Fife).
In March it was the turn of the U17s. A win over the Borders led to a match against Edinburgh, who had also won their match against Glasgow, to set up a thrilling final. Caley went behind in the first half but came back strongly, finally pipping Edinburgh with only minutes to go. Again there was a significant representation in the Scotland U17 Development Squad with the following eight boys selected – Callum Wishart and Courtnay Morrison (both Dollar), Sean Kennedy (Clacks Colts), Glen Bryce and Danny Gilmour (both Stirling County), George Hunter (Aberdeen Wanderers), Harry Mountain (Gordonstoun) and Neil Kiltie (Robert Gordons).
Finally, the U16 championship got underway with a win against Glasgow, followed by narrow defeats to Borders and Edinburgh.
The future of the game depends on our clubs and educating our coaches. Full details of coaching courses are on Scottish Rugby’s web site www.scottishrugby.org (click Coach on the tool bar at left hand side for full details). Also available on the web site are details of coaching updates, where some of the top coaches in the country deliver sessions to clubs on specific subjects – for example, Hugh Campbell came to Perthshire recently to deliver an update on tackle technique.
For further details on this and other Midlands events contact PDM Mark McKenzie at mark.mckenzie@sru.org.uk
This season has seen 430 players involved in Edinburgh’s Player Pathway Development Program, split amongst the S2 (U14) through to the U18 age groups.
The Easter school holidays saw the conclusion of a highly successful S2 Development Program at a three-day camp, with all 107 players given the opportunity to promote themselves during sessions and development games against East Lothian. This third Development Camp of the season leads into the players’ U15 year when two squads will be selected from players within Edinburgh, West Lothian and Midlothian.
Planning is already in place for next season’s U15 and U16 Pathway Development programme, with spring and summer squad sessions and selection to finalise the Eastern Eagles and Western Chargers Pathway Squads ready for development games this coming August and September.
Both the U17 and U18 programmes were completed with player reports compiled and sent to all the players and their relevant coaches. Both Squads performed well within their programs and produced some excellent individual and team performances. Thanks to our volunteer coaches and managers who continually give up their time freely to support the Player pathway program in Edinburgh.
For further information contact Senior Performance Development Manager Grant McKelvey at Grant.McKelvey@sru.org.uk
As part of the National Player Pathway Programme, nominated players in S2 were again invited to attend specific skill development Pathway camps in their area. During the Easter holidays it was encouraging to see over 130 players attend these camps which focussed mainly on the core skills required to help players progress up the player pathway system. These players in the Borders and East Lothian will then be invited back through May and June before all squads are cut prior to the August Pathway Programme.
At this stage, clubs and schools are working hard on their squads for next season with development competitions well underway. These events are specifically designed to continue with meaningful competition whilst District U16 players are involved in their competition phase as well as the players who have reached the Scotland U17 and U18 squads.
Following the District U17 and U18 programmes it was encouraging to see Luke Pettie, Nicky Little, Andrew Renwick, Michael Tait and Max Learmonth from The Borders selected for the Scotland U18 squad alongside Craig Owenson, Alan Walker and Michael Maltman from East Lothian. The Scotland U17 Development Squad also has Borders representation with Peter Forrest, Richard Ferguson, Grant Runciman, Gregor Hunter and Craig Robertson making the squad that recently competed in the Millfield Festival.
For further information on Pathway squads or District squads within the Borders and East Lothian region please contact bryan.easson@sru.org.uk
Over 100 S2 boys who completed eight rugby sessions, based on skill development and learning game sense, were then selected into a squad of 22 to play a game against their Glasgow North counterparts, leading to nominations for the 2008 Struan Rugby Camp. Meanwhile at U15 level, 22 boys nominated from the Summer of 2007 National Pathway programme, have also completed eight rugby sessions and a game against Glasgow North. Following the game, nominations to the Struan camp were also put forward.
Nine U16 boys were selected for the final IDC U16 squad. They have completed their preparation training and have begun the competition, kicking off with a narrow loss to the Caledonian region. At the U17 age group, ten boys were selected for the final 22 playing squad for the IDC development programme. Once preparation training was completed, the squad played two games against Edinburgh and the Borders, recording a loss and a win, with three boys subsequently selected to join the Scotland U17 training squad.
At U18 level, twelve boys took part in the selected IDC squad that went on to record three losses from three games, though the experience gained will stand them in good stead for the future.
At U18 level, the squad achieved three wins from three to retain the National U18 IDC, culminating in a superb decider against Edinburgh at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy. The team was captained by Matthew Reid (AGFPs) and included north players Andrew Cook (Aberdeenshire), Ross Talyor (AGFPs), Patrick Boyer and Angus Milton (Highland), Peter Nelson (Ellon) and Kris Hamilton (Caithness) marshalled by head coach, Colin Sangster (Caithness).
The respective U17 games, played on the back pitches at Murrayfield, saw Caledonia manage two wins from two. This time the north had a greater representation in the squad with Neil Kiltie, Greg Jones, Fraser Atkins, Robbie MacGregor, Oliver Talyor (all RGC), Harry Mountain (Gordonstoun), George Hunter and Thomas Williams (both Aberdeen Wanderers) all playing major parts. Of those Kiltie, Mountain and Hunter were all selected for the Scotland U17 Development Squad. Head coach Richie Anderson (RGC) has done a marvellous job with a great squad, with the total number of players selected for the Scotland U17 Development Squad sitting at eight.
With a couple of games to go in the U16 program, north players involved are Harris Jones, Richard Murdoch, Jamie Reid (RGC), Alex Crosbee (AGFPs), John Adams (Aberdeen Wanderers) – with two players from Moray RFC, Andrew Hall and Joe MacColl, doing tremendously well to step up to district level.
Already looking to next season, Pathway preparations have begun and players are already training to be involved in their respective areas. Management teams are in place but the squads can always do with more assistance – so if you’re interested in volunteering to develop the next group of potential, contact PDM David Ross at David.Ross@sru.rg.uk
Nine U18s attended January’s Scotland U18 squad development camp in Edinburgh, in preparation for Scotland selection; they were Mitchell Ashworth, Alex Black, Paul Creek, Callum Connor, Andy Fraser, Mike Walker, Ross Sutherland, Alec Porter and George Graham. The U18s then played their second game against the Welsh Colleges at Filton College in Bristol – the Scottish selectors came down to watch and were much impressed by what they saw.
That month the Exile U17s played against the South West Division at Bryanston School in Dorset and acquitted themselves well in front of the Scotland U17 selectors.
Meanwhile the U19s played against the Scottish based players in a final trial, mirroring the U20 initiative at Percy Park. This was a tight-fought encounter and an important part of the selection process, with ten Exiles subsequently making the extended squad – Ryan Wilson, Cameron Brown, Mark Anderson, Dave Morton, James Knight, Paul Loudon, Ed Masvelackas, Jamie Harrop, Robbie Johnston and Adam Mackenzie.
In February four players – Ross Sutherland, Alex Black, Callum Connor and Andrew Fraser – were selected for the Scotland U18 squad while Duncan Morrison and Chris Bloomfield were selected for the U17 Scotland team. This takes the number of Exiles selected for Scotland age group squads to 25 for the year.
An Exile coach recently made the move, too. Nic Humphries has brought the benefits of his coaching expertise to players across the board at the Performance Development Group and also at the Yorkshire Regional Development Group meetings during the last year. Unfortunately for the Exiles – but great for him – he has been appointed as the new Scottish Rugby Performance Development Manager for Glasgow North.
Over the last quarter a Coach Development Officer has been employed to help in the rollout and delivery of the UKCC, the provision of coaching updates and the production of Scottish Rugby’s Long Term Player Development strategy. Doc McKelvey – previously a jointly funded development officer at Perthshire RFC – joined the department in February and has been busy compiling the coach education programme of UKCC Level 1 and 2 courses and coaching updates for this year.
Details of all these can be found atthe Scottish Rugby website by clicking here.
Jen Dailly also joined as UKCC Coaching Administrator – in a post supported by sportscotland – providing support to the department and the five other sports for whom we act for as an approved centre for the SQA in the delivery of UKCC qualifications.
Numbers for the UKCC so far have been very encouraging and this year will see the launch of the Level 2 qualification with four courses planned as well as plenty Level 1 qualification courses. It is hoped that UKCC Level 3 will be launched in the autumn.
Scottish Rugby is currently embarking on a series of regional roadshows around the Long Term Player Development Strategy (LTPD). Henry Edwards (Head of Performance) and Jock Peggie (UKCC Development Manager) are touring the country to present to and take feedback from the clubs and schools to shape this strategy. The LTPD strategy is an important step towards growing the game – increasing the numbers of players, coaches, officials, volunteers and developing our players to the best of their potential at whatever level they choose to play the game.
For more information on this and other UKCC matters, contact UKCC Development Manager Jock Peggie at jock.peggie@sru.org.uk
With the International Age-Grade programme now in full flow, Scottish Rugby’s National Academy players have been working hard to improve all aspects of their game, ensuring they’re at their peak performance during International matches. A great deal of effort has been put in by the players and everyone involved supporting them, however it isn’t always about what happens technically and tactically that makes the difference.
As part of the ongoing education of Scottish Rugby’s National Senior Academy players, celebrity chef Phil Vickery recently ran a healthy eating workshop at Murrayfield, organised by Quality Meat Scotland. The focus of the event was on how to make balanced and nutritional cooking easy and following a demonstration by Phil, some players were then given the chance to cook for their team-mates in a Ready Steady Cook style cook-off. Heriot’s lock Steven Turnbull, whose food was judged to be the best, returned to training having been rewarded with a £100 cheque to be used at a restaurant of his choice as reward for his recipe – a warm chicken salad. “It was brilliant, some really good ideas,” he commented on the day.
Meanwhile a two year sponsorship deal has been signed between the Scottish Rugby Union and ASICS to supply footwear for all Senior Academy players for match days and training. Speaking at the launch at Greaves Sports, Glasgow, National Academy Manager Stephen Gemmell welcomed the deal adding, "At this level of sport the little things make a big difference. By working with ASICS the players are getting the best footwear available so they can concentrate on improving their game and reaching the next level of their sport."
National Junior Academy players have attended National Testing days where their fitness levels are monitored using a number of agreed National Tests. These sessions have all taken place in state of the art facilities at Heriot-Watt University, under the guidance of Area Institute Sports Scientists and SRU Strength & Conditioning Coaches. Test results are fed back at a local level to both players and Academy Coaches, who then work alongside Area Institute Strength & Conditioning Coaches to alter training programmes and training workloads. All Junior Academy players are able to access an extensive range of services through their local Area Institute, including support in nutrition, performance lifestyle and psychology as well as complete medical back-up required for top level sport.
But it’s not only at Meldrum that girls’ rugby has been thriving. This season has seen a huge increase in activity, mainly through local schools. At the forefront is Aboyne Academy that, through the efforts of teacher David Kirby, is running teams at both U15 and U18 level. Girls’ rugby has also started at The Gordons School in Huntly where Graham Allardice was approached by pupils to run sessions and a core of nearly 30 girls now take part. The season in Grampian culminates with a Girls’ Development Day at Aboyne on the 28 May, supported by the SWRU and Aberdeenshire Council, aiming for over 100 girls from P6 upwards to take part in coaching and games. 
Elsewhere, Bramble Brae Primary school in Aberdeen was one of the first schools to receive a signed certificate from the Scotland team to mark completion of the six-week block of rugby coaching combined with a healthy eating and food hygiene initiative. The pilot project, involving Scottish Rugby and the Food Standards Agency Scotland, has delivered to 600 pupils in 22 P5 and P6 classes in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City . 
Perthshire RFC provided ball boys and a guard of honour for the match, with two of their young players (Andrew Fenton and Frazer Davidson) invited to lead the Scotland team out as mascots, for successfully completing levels of the club’s Passport-2-Rugby.
The Edinburgh Development team welcomed Kirsty Hewitt as project officer for the ‘Tackling Health’ programme, launched by Scotland captain Mike Blair earlier this year in Craigroyston. The 20-week project, a partnership between Scottish Rugby and NHS Lothian, aims to increase physical activity and mental wellbeing amongst the local community using rugby. “So far there’s been a positive response from boys and girls,” says Kirsty. With help from Active School Co-ordinators and BATs – the project set up by Broughton, Edinburgh Accies and Trinity Accies rugby clubs – children from Craigroyston Community High School and Craigroyston and Pirniehall Primary Schools are learning some fun rugby skills. 
Ten Central secondary schools have been playing in the Rugby Plus Central Schools Cup Competition. To ensure all schools have a reasonable chance to progress in the tournament, a Shield, Bowl, Plate and Quaich Competition for teams knocked out of the main Cup Competition was introduced. In the first of five finals McLaren High School won the Rugby Plus Quaich (pictured right).
Congratulations to Caithness U15 team (pictured) for winning the Caledonia Youth League U15 Division 2 North and Stornoway U16 team (pictured at the foot of article) who were successful in winning the Caledonia Youth League U16 Division 2 North. These accomplishments are further indication of the growth of youth rugby in the region and testament to the commitment of both players and volunteers. 
Clubs have travelled the length and breadth of the Highlands to take part in mini and midi festivals, with the Caithness, Moray and Ross Sutherland events bringing the series to a conclusion. In addition, Highland competed with distinction in the recent North S1 and S2 tournaments in Aberdeen. Meanwhile, putting in an equally impressive performance, a fast and agile Grantown-on-Spey team were unlucky to lose out to Melrose 31-36 in the SWRU U18 Cup semi-final. 
As part of the ongoing education of Scottish Rugby’s National Senior Academy players, celebrity chef Phil Vickery recently ran a healthy eating workshop at Murrayfield, organised by Quality Meat Scotland. The focus of the event was on how to make balanced and nutritional cooking easy and following a demonstration by Phil, some players were then given the chance to cook for their team-mates in a Ready Steady Cook style cook-off. Heriot’s lock Steven Turnbull, whose food was judged to be the best, returned to training having been rewarded with a £100 cheque to be used at a restaurant of his choice as reward for his recipe – a warm chicken salad. “It was brilliant, some really good ideas,” he commented on the day.