JOHN ELLIOTT John Elliott recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about his positive association with Kelso Rugby Club ,

“ I was born and bred in the Scottish Borders and know Bruce McNeil very well Bruce works in my business at Roxburgh Mains and we have supported him in his rugby career over the years and continuing to do so at Kelso in his role as player / coach .

Both my sons started playing for the club around age 6 and are still involved with Jack now aged 10 and Logan 8 . The club are gifted at all levels with a very well structured committee and senior squad who are performing very well on the pitch . The plethora of talent at the club with older players and coaches returning is visible from the minis upwards and will ensure a health future for all at the Rugby Club moving forward .

I tried to get down to the club as much as possible and I am constantly impressed by the hard work put in by many members . The local agricultural community have been tremendously kind in supporting the club . For such a small catchment area Kelso Rugby Club certainly punch above their weight and I am very proud to be a part of this historic club which provides great community and opportunity within our local region !”

The plethora of talent at the club with older players and coaches returning is visible from the minis upwards and will ensure a health future for all at the Rugby Club moving forward .

NEIL HINNIGAN Neil Hinnigan is Director of Rugby at Kelso Rugby Club he talked to Rugby Club Magazine about his journey at Kelso starting play as a 6-yearold and ultimately to senior rugby until unfortunately injury took its toll . More recently he went to Heriot`s and returned last season to oversee everything rugby at Kelso ,

“ I have always done my best to be of service to Kelso in any way I can even when I was over at Heriot`s and involved in the Super 6 setup so when I returned to become Director of Rugby there was not too much of a transition . I suppose it would be fair to say that myself and our coaching team have

created a more structured approach to how we play and train , our emphasis has been on mutual respect and stability where players are expected to turn up on time for training and embrace the new culture . Attitudes have therefore changed , and we started with a foundation of looking within and then without to form a formidable front row and move back through the team from there .

As DOR I deal with the day to day needs of the seniors , 2nds- the sharks and have a healthy input into the youth rugby setup too . In addition , I relay and implement decisions from the committee and handle player recruitment , kit , and player management and to treat everyone with respect and understand we are all individuals .

Our ambition this season was to aim for a top 4th spot in the league and I would say that with our current league position coupled with continued commitment and development we are on course to achieve this and perhaps beyond !”

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