Haddington
Mark Becher is the Headmaster of the
Compass School which is a unique and
independent primary school for children age
3-12 located in Haddington. Over the past 57
years it has acquired an outstanding reputation
in East Lothian and beyond for providing its
children with a firm foundation for their life-long
learning. Mark told Rugby Club Magazine, “As a
rugby fan myself I am fully aware of the benefits
of the sport and the advantages it offers to those
involved. I am delighted that both school and
club have such a positive association grown over
the past years and the club’s mini rugby section
offers a great compliment to our children at the
school many who you will see at the club on a
Sunday morning.
It’s also great to hear how well the seniors
are doing, unfortunately I don’t get down to
the club as often as I would like due to my own
family commitments. The Compass School are
also a club sponsor and we would all like to
wish Haddington Rugby Club the very best of
success in all areas of their club particularly in the
continued development of young people into this
great sport!”
Robert Carr recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about
his long association with Haddington Rugby Club, saying, “My
dad Tommy Carr, who played wing forward and wing for the
club was one of the early Lansdowne Road tourists back in
the 1950s. He was also the `sponge ma’ who helped out with
the usual on field injuries back in that great era for the club in
the First Division. I didn’t play much rugby at school but was
encouraged to get involved by the formidable but friendly Jock
Kerr, the club’s greatest ever centre in my book, who was a
Gifford neighbour. In the 70s and 80s Haddington would field
five or six senior teams and I enjoyed playing for the 3rds or
4ths.”
“One of my own great memories was our 1980 tour to
Wales when we played against Kenfig Hill, the “Mules”! In a
case of mistaken identity I was selected and played for the 1st
XV against Kenfig on the Friday! It began to snow when we
were on the bus back from Cardiff to our hotel in Porthcawl
after the St David’s Day win for Wales and we were seriously
snowed in that weekend until we dug ourselves out on the
following Tuesday. We did however manage to help unload
the beer truck and keep the bar stocked during our lock down.
It was quite a strange sight to see many who had attended
the Saturday evening’s formal celebrations wading through the
deep snow in dinner suits and evening dresses.
“In 1998, I became a minis coach at North Berwick Rugby
Club when my son Thomas first became interested in the
game. We had then and still have a great minis structure at
NBRFC and many players, male and female, Megan Gaffney,
Chris Dean and Lewis Carmichael to name only a few of the
current era, have gone on to play at a senior level. I always
especially enjoyed the NB mini games against Haddington
minis at Neilson Park. In coaching the NBRFC minis I tried
to embrace the values and experiences I learned whilst at
First for care, first for value
At Animals 1st, we’re dedicated to providing high standard
veterinary care and treatments. We look after pets in the
Macmerry and Haddington areas of Scotland.
Services
• The Pet Health Club • Vaccinations • Full dental suite • Microchipping
• Neutering • Seperate cat and dog wards • Fully equipped theatre
• Physiotherapy referrals • Fully equipped laboratory with in-house testing
• Digital x-ray imaging • Anaesthesia
Haddington Branch
T: 01620 825574
A: 37 Court Street,
Haddington, EH41 3AE Macmerry Branch
T: 01875 824400
A: Macmerry Industrial Estate
Macmerry, Tranent, EH33 1RD
www.animals1st.co.uk [email protected]
Haddington. I had the privilege of witnessing great coaches
and captains like Jimmy Wilson, Colin Young and Bill Hamilton
as they exhibited their skills in identifying, nurturing and making
young players feel valued!
“My daughter Rachel is married to Callum Mark who was
in the Scotland rugby set up into his late teens and played in
the centre for both Haddington and North Berwick as well as
following in the footsteps of Jock Kerr and Derek Buglass by
going on to play for Heriots. Callum has ongoing links with
Haddington. I always enjoy when I get together to watch rugby
with Thomas, Callum and my close friend Mike Debusk, who
played for Boroughmuir 1sts, Edinburgh and Scottish Schools
and who was awarded for his coaching. Because they played
the game at a higher level their insights astound me. It also
interests me to see how the ethics of sport transmit to business
and can positively affect everything from leadership to attitudes
and performance. One of my favourite books is “Legacy: What
the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life.”
“Recognition also has to be given to the many mums and
other family members, as well as dads, including my own
wife Angela, who support rugby at every level, transporting
and supporting their children as well as carrying out all the
other necessary duties, including as great coaches and
officials. These days rugby is changing and it’s important that
we embrace diversity as well as the need to be vigilant about
health, safety and welfare.
“Haddington Rugby Club is very much at the heart of the
community and receives great support from local people and
local businesses alike making the club a great place for you
to visit and enjoy a great day out! The recent additions to
our family of my grandsons Oscar and Rafferty have naturally
reduced my available time to visit the club this season. Time
will tell if they will have an interest in the game. I hope they do.”
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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