Preston Lodge
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Colin Reynolds has had a long association with
the club and told us, “I played for the club in a
period spanning many decades and in the great
teams of the 80s when PL gained promotion to
Division 1 when I was honoured with captaincy
competing against the likes of Watsonians and
Heriots. I recall the great friendships and unity
during that era with fondness.”
“I am a current committee member and played
for the club till the age of 46 and helped coach
the club’s very important mini section up until last
season. Without young people coming through
clubs would perish and thankfully when I stepped
down from coaching there were many keen
volunteers eager to help out.
“My own playing days saw me play for the school
in the morning and club in the afternoon; I started
off as a winger, then I moved to centre before
taking up my favoured position at full back. This
season has seen the seniors play very well in a
very competitive league, hindered at times by
injuries.
“My business, Colin Reynolds & Associates,
have sponsored the club for forty years now and
hopes to continue this into the future. The club
are blessed with many good people who give
of themselves to ensure the club remain. Best
wishes to everyone at the club for the future.”
players and our senior players, leading
to an uplift in volunteers. This then
helps the club to keep moving forward.
Our social media is now vibrant and
engaged across our membership and
other community groups. The challenge
is to keep up the intensity.
RC: How’s the general mood down at
the club at the moment?
DH: The club vibe is great. It is quite
normal for all ages to be around the
club. Our 1st XV is managing well in
Tennent’s National League Division 2,
our 2nds are fulfilling all their fixtures;
we have a fantastic boys’ youth section
with eligible players flooding through
to the 1st and 2nd XVs; our girls squads
train and play regularly.
Sunday is the place to be for all the
fun of a mini rugby session. Our mantra
of OneClubOneCommunity is working
well, and club members enjoy promoting
it. The clubrooms are now also a venue
of choice for community groups and
individuals who may not have a direct
connection to the club.
RC: How would you say the year has
gone for the club so far?
DH: 2019 is our 90th Anniversary
Year, with lots planned. On the field
all squads are working well. Our boys’
youth squads finished their conference
season equal 1st. We have hosted touring
teams from across the world at youth and
senior level. We hosted our old friends
from Llantrisant RFC on Saturday and
our new friends from Owen Sound Girls,
Canada on Sunday.
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The addition, this year, of a new
Strength and Conditioning coach has
helped all players to focus on the gym
work off the field. Sessions are available
for youth and senior players.
RC: What are your plans for 2019?
DH: As explained, this is our 90th
Anniversary Year. A couple of weeks
of celebrations are planned in May.
We will be celebrating our history and
showcasing plans moving forward.
Many events are already sold out –
Captain’s Supper, Black and Maroon
Ball. On the field, we will play for a
selection of trophies with local teams
– some with family links and others
in commemoration of those who have
gone before us. Club memorability will
be available in the clubhouse. It will all
be rounded off with our Mini Rugby
Tournament with around 1000 people
visiting on the day.
RC: How important is youth rugby to
the club?
DH: Youth rugby is at the heart of
Preston Lodge RFC. Our fantastic Rugby
Development Officer and his volunteer
coaches ensure every age group enjoys
training sessions throughout the week
as they build towards their weekend
fixtures. The boys’ hard work has paid
off with many in the various age grade
of East Lothian & Borders Academies
and some pushing on at National Level.
Equally the girls train and play each
week. Some of them have been selected
into Performance Programmes offering a
pathway to National Squads.
Home 1st XV fixtures regularly attract
our young players – some volunteer as
ball boys/girls, others enjoy the game,
and there is always a mini player as the
lucky team mascot with the Captain and
match ball before kick-off.