Rugby Club Issue 48 | Page 36

LASSWADE LASSWADE Based at Hawthornden on Roswell Road in Midlothian, Lasswade RFC will be competing in the BT National League 3 in the coming season. They are led by President Ian Barr who is supported by Secretary Gayle Monteith and the club is looking to progress under their guidance. It would be fair to say that they have not perhaps enjoyed the start to the campaign that they would have liked this time around, having put together a record of having won 6 and lost 12 of their 18 matches. This saw them finish in the bottom half of the table with 24 points on the board. Their attentions will now be turned fully towards their 2014/15 campaign and so long as they are able to retain their current group of players and perhaps make one or two quality additions they should be well set-up for a much improved season. Lasswade is not a club to focus solely upon their senior section however and they also have a number of youth sides in place. These teams look to provide young players from the local area with an opportunity to play the game in a safe and enjoyable environment whilst helping them to reach their full potential. It is important for any club to be able to produce their own talent, particularly in the current financial climate. Coaching staff involved with their juniors are confident they have a number of youngsters involved with the talent to have a successful future. In order to help their young players to successfully make the transition into the senior game Lasswade also run a 2nd XV. This allows them to give players experience of the adult game even if they are not yet considered ready for first team action which can be an important step in the development process. Another benefit of having more than one side is that it allows the first XV to benefit from far greater strength in depth. If they are ever left short on numbers through 36 ISSUE 48 injury or suspension they have the option of calling players up with a limited amount of disruption. Although Lasswade had some disappointing results last time around, this should not take away from the good work that has been getting done at the club. Hopefully they will be able to continue in the same manner for many years to come and Rugby Club Magazine would like to wish them the best of luck.