Caithness
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Caithness RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
aithness RFC has put together a strong campaign so far this season and having opened a new clubhouse in recent years they appear to be well set up for a successful future . Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with Club Chairman George Sinclair to find out more .
He told us , “ Generally the mood around the club is good . We opened our new clubhouse ( we didn ’ t have an old one !) exactly three years ago and it has proved to be of great benefit to the club . However for most of that time we have been in a battle with HMRC over VAT on the building costs which could have cost the club the best part of £ 40k including legal costs if we had lost .”
“ After going through two tribunals , June 2015 and April 2016 , we finally heard in August that we had won our case on the basis that the facility was similar to a village hall with the majority of the use by the community . Great efforts were made during this time to raise the funds possibly needed to cover losing the case and having this burden removed has certainly lifted spirits around the club .
“ This season has gone well so far , having won eleven of thirteen games played but with two of the most difficult away games to come . Away results have greatly improved , for which some of the credit must go to our new coach Tommy McGee .
“ A native of Caithness , Tommy played for the club , then Boroughmuir , was capped for Scotland ‘ A ’ and played / coached with Leeds / Carnegie before returning north . With five games to play we are probably second favourites for the title but will be giving it our best shot .
“ Youth rugby is vital to Caithness ; because of our geography we cannot bring in players from other clubs so have to develop virtually all our players . Only one of the current squad has moved into the area but many more move in the other direction , mainly for education and a few for employment .
“ We sometimes struggle for numbers to field teams at all age grades , a situation not helped by the lack of curriculum rugby in schools . The club provide rugby for all ages from five to eighteen plus . Our under 18 ’ s have joint sessions with the senior team to ensure a smooth transition to senior rugby .
“ Shaun Gunn played for our U18 ’ s and seniors last season . This season , having gone to college in Edinburgh , he is paying loosehead for Edinburgh Accies and is in the Scotland U20 Squad for the 6 Nations . Jordan Miller , U16 ’ s last season is now on a sports scholarship at Dollar Academy and been in Scotland U16 squad .
“ Kris Hamilton , our current scrum
Hugh MacKay of club sponsor MacKay of Halkirk recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine , saying , “ Caithness are playing very well this season with Tommy McGee making a big difference , adding a lot of professionalism to the squad . The club do well to retain players as the brighter lights of more southern teams can be an attraction .” “ One of our family members Liam Brims , who is a gym teacher , is currently playing for a very good Falkirk team and of course local boy Shaun Gunn is now playing for Edinburgh Accies and has been chosen for the Scotland U20s squad . “ Myself and my partner Sandra attend most of the home games at Caithness and thoroughly enjoy our rugby . We would like to wish everyone at the club the best of success for the rest of the season .”
44 Issue 69