Rugby Club ISSUE 85 | Page 12

Boroughmuir FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG new and exciting SUPER 6 league, and we were delighted to be awarded a franchise. We also enhanced our Board by adding two top quality female directors who are helping us transform at pace, and launched a 100% bursary programme to ensure that money is never a barrier to kids playing rugby (the bursary covers everything from boots and gum shields to membership and travel costs). On the field our First XV struggled in 2017-18, only finishing 6th in the Premiership. 2018-19 has certainly been a lot better, with no threat of being near the bottom of the league, but we struggled to keep in touch with the top 4. In 2018, the U13 to U18 squads won the national Shogun Conference, the U16 team won the National Cup, and more importantly our vibrant Youth Academy continues to get stronger with over 350 young people now playing rugby every week.” 2019 “2019 is a huge year for a number of reasons. Not only are we incredibly excited about kicking off the inaugural SUPER 6 season, but 2019-20 is also our Centenary Season. So, as well as forming a totally new senior team (Boroughmuir Bears) for the SUPER6, and running special centenary year events, we are looking to further evolve our youth academy, improve our facilities, increase our affiliation with other community clubs and increase the number of women involved in the club.” SUPER6 “We were delighted to secure a SUPER6 franchise as it acts as a terrific vehicle to achieve our long term aims. To some, Boroughmuir was a surprise package, but a huge amount of expertise was applied to build a compelling bid. We have been clear from the start that SUPER6 will add on to our club and not replace anything we currently do, for example we plan to continue to run three amateur senior teams along with the new semi-pro senior team. The process of preparing for the addition of the SUPER6 has allowed us to take a long hard look at ourselves and work out our strengths and areas to develop. So, the act of implementing our plans will only benefit the club. There is a risk, as it is something of a step into the unknown, but we’re prepared and have a solid plan. We’ll have to professionalise many aspects of the club, both on and off the field. It’s a hugely exciting and something that we’re relishing. We’ll also be able to develop our partnerships, particularly with Edinburgh Napier University, which has great capabilities. SUPER6 has certainly captured the imagination of the club as a whole, and we are delighted to be part of it.” Youth “Youth rugby is absolutely vital to the success of Boroughmuir. For long enough, the Senior and Youth Rugby were like two separate clubs. We wanted to address this as part Johnny Matthews driving to score against Heriots Stewart and Anne Rutherford have had along and positive association with Boroughmuir RFC which started when son Grant took up the sport. They told us, “Grant, who is profoundly deaf, was encouraged to take up the sport and go along to training. Grant now lives in New Zealand with his wife. I have been associated with the club for nearly twenty years now and as well as being a sponsor I help out with any of their joinery needs. It’s great to see how the club is developing and I would like to wish every one the very best of continued success!” 12 Issue 85