Rugby Update

 

We have been accepted into the Caledonia League Div 2 (Midlands) for the coming season and our build up for that is well under way.

 

Training has been held at Elliot road on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays since the end of June with ever increasing numbers in attendance. I, myself procured a new pair of Rugby Boots and have been seen at some of the sessions. It's all a bit rash at my age but it's good to throw a rugby ball about once again.

Kenny Clarkson (PE teacher at the school) who is now our Vice-Captain has been invaluable in taking the training sessions to date, ably assisted by David Wright (our Vice-Presidents son). At the last count we have had around 35 different bodies to training (though not all at the same time) and the general spirit is one of great enthusiasm and eagerness for the start of the season.

 

As part of the build up we have arranged a match against Waid FP Rugby Club on Saturday 25th August at Anstruther. Waid will be in the division above us so should be a good test. The plan is to make this a team building day and so we are taking a bus and after the match, which will be an early kick-off at 12:00 hrs we head off to Murrayfield to watch Scotland V South Africa (kick-off 17:00hrs) in the build up to the Rugby World Cup.

 

We hope to have a match on the 1st September possibly against a Haddington Rugby Club XV as further preparation for the 1st League game on the 8th September (away to Montrose).

We have had a new strip designed and has now been ordered through Rugby Plus with Kukri. The Harris colours of Maroon, Black and Gold have been retained. The shirts will be mainly black with maroon and gold hoops round the chest and shortened sleeves. This change has been partly due to the ability to apply logos (from Sponsorship) to the shirts. The original hooped jerseys would not have leant themselves to additional script or designs. The ensemble will be completed with black shorts and maroon, black and gold hooped socks. We all think it will be something to be proud of.  The Harris Shield will be on the front of the jersey, also.

 

As you can imagine all this comes at a price. The old days when 15 shirts would suffice have gone as we are now allowed up to 8 substitutes in any match which means a 'set' of strips is now 23. The total cost for the shirts (plus socks) has come in at a surprising £1300, somewhat higher than expected. However, to date, we have received Sponsorship from 2 Companies to the tune of £750 which is absolutely superb. The Companies involved are 'Ross and Bonneyman' and 'Quest', both of which have personnel with strong links to Harris Rugby Club.

 

One last note and that is we plan on having a Lunch Club on the Saturday of our 1st Home League Game on Saturday 15th September. The lunch will be held in the West Park Centre and I'll be able to give you more details later should you or anyone from the FP Association wish to attend. 

 

We continue to look forward to the new season with relish and a belief that we can do well.

 

 

Butch Sinclair