Touchline. The County Newsletter. Edition 2: Season 2018/2019

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1 Edition 2: Season 2018/2019 Touchline The County Newsletter Presidents Message Lorne Boswell, our Club President updates you on club matters and developments Our plans for charitable status are well advanced. On the lawyer s advice we have changed our name by dropping the Limited, so the charity will be known as simply Stirling County Rugby Football Club. Our application for charitable status has been submitted to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and we hope to be approved soon. We are recruiting an independent Chair to help run the charity which will be responsible for our rugby offer (excluding Super 6). We have set up a trading company to run our bars and functions and a separate company to be responsible for the Super 6 developments. Our Super 6 plans are also well advanced, and we will soon be making and hearing some announcements about personnel and season structure. There is still opposition to the Super 6 but it is confined to the clubs immediately below those who were selected to host Super 6 teams. In the worst traditions of Scottish Rugby, some clubs are trying to be competitive off the pitch in league fora and other meetings. The major issue is over where our club team (the Stirling County Wolves) will play. The prospectus said we would be in the second tier (National 1). That is where I expect us to play. However, the unintended consequence of the motions to the SRU AGM is that until an SRU SGM or AGM approves a change, the status quo prevails. The movers of these motions were trying to wreck or delay Super 6 but clearly hadn t thought through what they were asking for. If there is no SGM it is entirely feasible we will stay in the top amateur league (which is to be renamed as the Championship). You can be forgiven for being confused because there is certainly more heat than light in this whole debate. Please be assured we are moving forward calmly and will keep you informed at all points. We are going to rename our 4 th pitch the girls pitch, not because it will be exclusive but to recognise that we will always have girls playing here now. We started Project 18 by flattening and draining it. It is nearly ready to be played on. For the rest of this season, we will restrict usage of this pitch to U15 teams and younger, but it will be a massive asset to Bridge Haugh. Now we need to start to look at the interior fabric of the building. We have ambitious plans which we will share with you and will start moving on these as soon as we have charitable status. 1

2 Please feel free to stop me or any of the other directors anytime you are down. We are more than happy to talk to club members. My last plea is for all members to get in the remaining membership fees as soon as possible Best Lorne Boswell If you have any club related articles, events or news you wish to highlight or to contribute to Touchline, please do not hesitate to send them in to Emma at County Board of Directors for 2018/2019 Richard Adams: Strategy Craig Bulloch: Infrastructure and Grounds Lorne Boswell: President Jackie Clark: Women and Girls Rugby Alastair Cunningham: Club Shop and Hospitality Ian Cuthbertson: Secretary John Gibson: Vice President / Men s and Boy s Rugby Amanda Harrison: Fundraising Pete Mudie: Clubrooms Keith Notman: Finance Jenifer Spinks: Communications Assistance with running the club: YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU Our club relies on volunteers to ensure we can run it in so many ways, for example, to coach and manage teams, to provide catering, to maintain and develop our facilities. We are still looking for the following Volunteers: For teams: Team Managers and support for our senior teams For matches: To assist with stewarding or any match day arrangements For ongoing development and maintenance: Members with trades skills and experience to assist with the club s ongoing development and maintenance requirements For the club shop: To help serve on an occasional basis in the club shop Please contact johntgibson52@gmail.com Rugby Matters Head Coach, Eddie Pollock, gives us his up to date low down on the 2018/2019 season at the midpoint. 2

3 We have now reached the half way point in the premier league and find ourselves in 6 th place. At times we have played some outstanding rugby resulting in a strong home record at Bridge Haugh which is once again becoming a fortress for us. Inconsistency in attack and some poor individual tackling has hurt us away from home losing matches at Watsonians and Hawick we should have won. In all we have played over 38 players in 9 matches which has not helped with consistency of performance but has confirmed that we are producing and developing a lot of good young players capable of performing at the top of the club game in Scotland. Stirling County Wolves are firmly placed in the top half off the reserve league and are playing some great rugby under the guidance of Chris Faill. What is predominantly an U20 side has continually provided players for the 1 st XV when required and shows great promise for the club going forward. The young Accies team coached by Doug Smith are well placed in Midlands Division 2 and looking forward to a top of the table clash with Blairgowrie at Bridgehaugh under lights on Friday 9 th November. We will be working hard in the 2 nd part of the season to keep improving all 3 off our young sides and continue to develop a brand of rugby which is both enjoyable to watch and capable of consistently challenging the top sides in the country : Harry and Ross cuddling or are they SCRFC Squad Season 2018/2019 celebrating a hard-fought win over Hawks? John Graham Sponsors the 2018/2019 Player of the Year, votes stand as follows: Player Total Grant Hughes 10 Hamilton Burr 10 George Arnott 7 Murphy Walker 5 Reynor Kennedy 5 3

4 Cameron Henderson 4 Craig Robertson 4 Andrew Goudie 2 Ewan McGarvie 2 James Pow 1 Player Profile Name: Matthew Emmerson Nickname: Emmo and Mad Dog!! Position: Flanker / Hooker What s your personal aim for the season? My personal aim for the season is to play first XV as much as possible and be the best player I can be to help us win games. What do you like about Rugby? I like the competitive nature of rugby where you train to win. The contact side to rugby has always been a big factor in why I have stuck to playing rugby amongst many other sports I have competed in such as; judo, swimming, hockey, athletics and basketball. The Rugby player that inspires you? My childhood favourite player I was inspired by was Thierry Dusautoir but in today s game Dane Coles and Beauden Barrett are two players I love watching play. Favourite Foods? Medium/rare steak all the way! Favourite Music? Metal/Hip-Hop Tell us something about yourself that nobody knows about? I enjoy annual summer outings fly fishing on lochs in the highlands, Skye. Youth Rugby Youth Rugby is sponsored by 4

5 Stewart Milne our Academy manager updates us on the season so far for boy s youth rugby The boy s youth rugby is driving onwards as ever this season. We are just past the half way point of the Shogun conference and find ourselves in a slightly unusual position of 2 nd in the conference! Boroughmuir have been the pace setters this season, in the Shogun Conference and credit to their development, there were some good games against them this past weekend, our U18s were incredibly disappointed with their performance on the day losing hard fought match but the U16s showed the way forward with an excellent win on the Sunday 21-7 and are leading the way at the top of their conference league and playing some excellent rugby. Shogun Conference: Ayr, Biggar, Boroughmuir, Hamilton, Highland, Stirling County, West of Scotland Our U13s, U14s & U15s are developing as well as ever, with big squads of players playing in both the Shogun matches and club friendlies. Everyone is looking forward to the return matches in this second half of the conference season! Congratulations are owed to Ben Mace, Mattie McKinnon at U18 and Cameron Lynn, Ben Yarrow, Callum Beckett and Harry Wilson for being selected in the Glasgow Warriors programme over October. Whilst Ben Yarrow was unfortunately injured, all the others competed well and represented the club with determination and no little talent! Last year a total of 872 teams from 150 state schools, 104 clubs and 25 independent schools, played in the Mitsubishi Schools & Youth Motors Conferences leading to an overall increase of 16% in fixtures played to 2,626. Scottish Rugby manages the fixture calendar to enable schools and clubs to play across their respective age-groups on the same day or weekend. Competition points are awarded to each match played, enabling every age-group to contribute to the school or club s success in the overall Conference table. Mitsubishi Motors Schools & Youth Conferences 2018 Colt Conference: Dollar Academy, George Watson s College, Merchiston Castle School, Stewart s Melville College, Strathallan School, Edinburgh Academy Shogun Conference: Ayr, Biggar, Boroughmuir, Hamilton, Highland, Stirling County, West of Scotland - BOYS Eclipse Conference: Howe of Fife/Bell Baxter, Fettes College, Glenalmond, High School of Dundee, Loretto School, Robert Gordon s College L200 Conference: George Heriot s School, Glasgow Academy, High School of Glasgow, Hutchesons Grammar School, Kelvinside Academy, St Aloysius College Mirage Conference: Annan, Ayr, Biggar, Caithness, Cartha Queens Park, Hillhead, Lismore, Murrayfield Wanderers, Stirling County - GIRLS Barbarian Conference: Hills Rugby, Lenzie Academy, Lomond/Helensburgh, Balfron/Strathendrick, Queen Victoria School, Morrison s Academy, Ayr/Wellington B, Carrick Academy, Marr College, St Columba s Kilmalcolm 5

6 Grandis Conference: Dunbar Grammar School, George Watson s College B, North Berwick High School, Preston Lodge High School, St Leonard s/madras, Royal High School Outlander Conference: Berwick Rugby, Knox/Haddington, Ross High School, Trinity Academy, Lasswade High School, Linlithgow Academy Galant Conference A: Cartha Queens Park, Cumnock, Dumfries Saints, GHA, Greenock Wanderers, Kilmarnock*, Whitecraigs Galant Conference B: Allan Glens, Currie,Dalziel/East Kilbride, Dunfermline, Livingston, Perthshire Lancer Conference: Deeside/Garioch*, Dundee Rugby, Ellon, Gordonstoun School, Granite City, Mackie, Moray/Huntly* Warrior (Borders Town) Conference: Duns, Gala, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso, Melrose, Peebles, Selkirk Women and Girls Rugby Jackie Clark, Director of Women and Girls rugby provides an update for the 2018/2019 season. The Women's team has had a strong start to the season, securing a slot in the top 4 women's teams in the Premiership prior to the split. Their games for the rest of the season will be quite challenging, but they are in a good place to continue with their season. The U18 and U15 girls have continued success in the Mirage Conference, winning all their games so far. There are two more fixtures in the Conference before the conference concludes with a 'play off' fixture. Mirage Conference: Annan, Ayr, Biggar, Caithness, Cartha Queens Park, Hillhead, Lismore, Murrayfield Wanderers, Stirling County The U12 girls continue with their training and are hopeful of getting a game or two under their belt before the winter break. Mini Rugby Allan Imrie: SCRFC Mini Convenor highlights events in the mini section Over the last few weeks the minis have crossed the country as usual playing clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow and recently at our close friends, West of Scotland. Some lucky members of the P6 and P4 squads also got to play halftime at Scotstoun and made quite an impression on the Glasgow Warriors, they also had guard of honour duty and represented the club showing our values impeccably. At every home game the age groups have all had a turn being Guard of Honour #withflags and provided halftime entertainment. This Saturday 3rd November we have a special training morning with Aberdeen Wanderers bringing P4 to P7 to play games and then enjoy the 1st XV take on Watsonians. The AGVL is going well and on the 17th November our coaches have an extra CPD to keep on top of the best ways to keep our kids learning rugby and having fun through games. Fundraising is well underway with events planned to get P5-7 away to Wales in Easter. The mini effort to get away on Tour is massive and we will accept all levels of donations and sponsorship. 6

7 The now infamous P1-4 Christmas Party is on the 2nd December and yes, the real Santa is coming so get excited now. There is plenty Rugby to get us to the winter break including the Madras festival and home games with GHA, GHK and Cumbernauld. The last games, weather permitting, is away to North Berwick on the 2nd December. Mini Rugby is thriving at Bridgehaugh. Sponsor a Player There are still opportunities available to sponsor players in our First XV and Wolves Sponsoring a Player is a popular way to raise funds for the Club, while supporting a Player to develop their rugby at Stirling County. A Player can be sponsored for the entire season for only 288. The benefits to a Player Sponsor include: Sponsor s name, link and logo posted on the Players profile page on the Club s website. Sponsor s name listed in Match-Day Programme and team-sheet next to sponsored player s name Sponsor s name included alongside Player of the Match in match reports on Club s website and press Sponsor s name included in Player of the Season listing. Pre-match hospitality and match admission for two at an early season Stirling County Premiership match at Bridge Haugh Payment of sponsored Player s membership subscription for year. Tennent s Premiership Rugby Fixtures and Results: st September 2018 Watsonians v Stirling County: Lost th September 2018 Stirling County v Edinburgh Accies: Won th September 2018 Ayr v Stirling County: Lost nd September 2018 Stirling County v Currie Chieftains: Won th September 2018 Stirling County v Heriot s: Lost th October 2018 Melrose v Stirling County: Lost th October 2018 Stirling County v Boroughmuir: Won th October 2018 Hawick v Stirling County: Lost

8 27th October 2018 Stirling County v Glasgow Hawks: Won rd November 2018 Stirling County v Watsonians: Lost th November 2018 Edinburgh Accies v Stirling County 1st December 2018 Stirling County v Ayr 8th December 2018 Currie Chieftains v Stirling County 15th December 2018 Heriot s v Stirling County 12th January 2019 Stirling County v Melrose 19th January 2019 Boroughmuir v Stirling 26th January 2019 Stirling County v Hawick 2nd March 2019 Glasgow Hawks v Stirling County Two blasts from the past and some rugby questions 1991, A County team win the Mull 7 s, for the first time, against a John Rutherford led Selkirk. Can you name the squad? From 1983, County boys playing for Glasgow!! Can you spot a future County President in this picture?? 8

9 Events for your Diary To Publicise your event, just let us know the details and we will help you to get the message out to all members Accies v Blairgowrie, Caledonia League 2 Friday 9 November Wolfhounds v Valladolid Veterans, a Spanish touring team, Friday 17 th November 2018 Ist XV v Glasgow Hawks Cup Game, Friday 23 rd November 2018 The County Christmas Lunch: Saturday 1 st December 2018 SCRFC Hogmanay Party: Monday 31 st December 2018 (for all the family) Six Nations Super Rugby Day: Saturday 16 March 2019 (Food, Drink and RUGBY) Club Shop The club shop is open on Saturday mornings from 0930 until It is also open on occasional Thursday evenings from 1800 until 1830, these openings are noted in advance on the news section of the club website. The shop stocks playing kit for all age groups together with a limited range of leisure wear branded with County colours and the club logo. A wider range of leisure wear is available from Raging Bull s online shop. There is a link to this from the shop section of the club website. All profits from the online shop go to club funds. 200 Club 200 Club prize draws are made at rugby club events or home matches each month, with winners receiving cash prizes of 200, 100, 50, 30 and 20. There is also a Christmas Bonus prize of 1,000 and a Summer prize of 500. All proceeds from the 200 club go directly into supporting the development of rugby at all levels, with your club, thereby continuing to ensure, that through developing our own rugby talent, Stirling County remains at the forefront of the game in Scotland. We are keen to increase participation in the key funding initiative and encourage all members, players supporters and parents of junior members to join the 200 club, which costs only 5 per month, paid by bank standing order. To join the 200 club, please Derek Young at derekyoung54@hotmail.com or phone

10 County Functions and Match Lunches Rugby Lunch Specials Why not join us at one of our lunch specials for our games, 1st December 2018 Stirling County v Ayr 12th January 2019 Stirling County v Melrose 26 th January 2019 Stirling County v Hawick 20 for members and 30 for non-members for a two-course meal, a bottle of beer and entry to the game. County Functions Hogmanay Bash Monday, 31 st December 2018, 30 per ticket Contact Emma at the Club office or on for more details and to book place. At Bridgehaugh various areas available for hire, 7 days a week and we are confident we will have an event space to fit your needs, with our two main function areas capable of hosting up to 500 guests. Bridgehaugh provides the perfect function space for all your celebrations, including your Wedding day or that special party. As a member you are entitled to a discount of 33% on facility hire costs. Contact Emma at the Club Office or on or emma@stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk and she will be pleased help you with your queries. Our thanks to all our Sponsors for Season 2018/

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