portobello
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Teams in the mini-section often come away from tournaments
wearing winners’ medals but for Porty that is only a bi-product of
what the game is all about.
Yes the players are fiercely competitive but that competitiveness
is balanced out by the sense of belonging, becoming better in
all areas of the game and ultimately having fun. Porty has also
spawned two young national hopefuls with Hamish Bain and
Jonathan Goldring both representing Scotland at Under 17 and
Under 18 level.
A recent innovation, and a first for local Edinburgh rugby,
happened when one of the youth teams found themselves a bit
light on player numbers. As coincidence would have it so were
local rivals Musselburgh. Rivalry was put aside however for the
good of the players and a two season collaboration was agreed
upon until the lads were ready to return to their respective clubs
to play at Under 18 level. Portobello Vice President and Coach,
Robert Shepherd explained, ‘As a combined coaching team from
both clubs our number one priority was to keep the lads involved
and playing as the drop-off rate at the Under 15 or U