3 Is A Magic Number

After last month’s stellar performance by Scotland against Australia and their impressive showing throughout the autumn internationals, it’s clear that a strong Scotland side is needed in world rugby. Scotland’s eight try drubbing of Australia brought the sold out Murrayfield stadium to its feet, generating an atmosphere seldom seen at the famous old ground in recent years. From McGuigan‘s footballing skills to Russell’s speed of thought when setting up fan favourite Jones for a scintillating try, Scotland were outstanding. Scenes like these brought folk back to the early ‘90s and the glory days of Scottish Rugby with memories of the exceptional 1990 Grand slam winning team being rekindled. What is it that has brought about this resurgence in Scottish Rugby?

I believe player numbers and a comprehensive club scene are at its heart. A competitive club scene allows for strength in depth throughout Scottish Rugby from amateur level to professional. In Scottish Rugby's strategic plan (the Journey to 2016) they set out development of a thriving club scene as one of their key aims. But when it comes to participation numbers, having a high number of registered players at your club is great, getting all those players togged out on a Saturday is an entirely different matter and a tremendously challenging one at that.

November 2017 saw Leith Rugby field three senior men’s teams on the one day, the only Edinburgh side outside the BT Premiership to do so in the past five years. The last time the club had managed this remarkable feat was the 1995-96 season when local boy Brian Archer was captain, and the side included names like Dave Ritchie, Paul Allison (still playing!), Stevie Meadows and John McMaster.

During the early ‘90s, Leith Rugby was renowned for having an abundance of front row specialists, something most professionals sides would envy. Such was Leith’s strength depth in the front row at the time that it was not an uncommon sight to see 3rd XV players face off against an opposing 1st XV side from the then Premiership 2 division. This 3rd XV team has gone down in club history as cult heroes and stories of their exploits still to this day reverberate around the clubhouse bar on social occasions. Usually from those characters involved themselves!

However it hasn’t all been sunshine on Leith for the boys wearing blue and white and these good days were to be followed by some dark times for the club. Throughout the late ‘90s and well into the 2000s Leith struggled to put out more than one side and even on occasions struggled with putting together a 1st XV. One of the main factors that caused the drop in player numbers was the departure of some very talented home grown players to bigger clubs.

Leith Rugby has never been a club to stand by and wallow in self-pity though; so step forward the class of 2008/09. Thanks to the emergence from Leith Academy of a senior school team, the club managed to source some exciting new players. Passionate and talented young men like David Meadows, Craig Winton, Ross Kilgour, Andrew Paterson, Craig Smith, Ryan Burgess, Daniel Berger and Sam Lee joined club's senior ranks. These welcome reinforcements were fundamental in the rebuilding of the club through what was long transitional phase, as were the tireless efforts of several coaches, particularly Tam Bennett and Eric Jones.

In recent years Leith Rugby has fought hard to regain some lost ground and are now play their rugby in BT East Division 2, having won the region's third tier back in 2013. The demographic changes in Leith over the past decade have left their mark on Leith Rugby and the club has become a home away from home for expats with players from countries as far afield as Spain, Italy, Australia and South Africa. The club is a vibrant mixture of local boys, expats, students and some old boys reluctant to hang up their boots just yet.

Leith Rugby is working hard to play it's part in bridging the gap between school boys and adult rugby providing a platform for guys to return to the game after hiatus’s away from the sport - and in some cases, such as winger Peter Duncan, to take up the game for the first time at the age of 29. The club has participation as it's ethos, rather than everything being about performance (although we work hard at that too!) affording its members the opportunity to once again play the game they loved as child. Added to these efforts at senior level is a bespoke Leith Rugby Youth Development (LRYD) committee, and Youth Coach Ross Johnston, who are facilitating rugby in all of the local primary schools, promoting rugby as a sport, as well as it's values and contribution to an active lifestyle. As well as the community benefit, it is hoped these efforts will also bring about an increase in participation in rugby at Leith Academy, and at senior level in due course.

While the club has at its core a hard working and dedicated committee, led by President Jim Smith; the teams themselves are player-led, meaning the players themselves are responsible for a variety of tasks right the way from team selection and training sessions to the occasional preparation of the post match pie and beans. Players recognise and understand that the club is the sum of its parts and for success to manifest itself everyone must take on roles and responsibilities. Leith Rugby is a club run by the players for the players. I believe it is this collaborative approach to team management that has assisted Leith in developing a large pool of players.

When searching for names for whom to give credit to for the historic day Leith Rugby once again fielded three teams, the names Paul Haggon and Doug Watters come to mind. Both men were instrumental in getting sixty+ fit(ish) players out on the day. To say they deserve a pat on the back is an understatement. Paul Haggon in particular worked tirelessly well into the night to assure all three sides had quality fixtures. The real credit goes to all the squad however, as in a player-led system, this small triumph belongs to us all.

Leith’s Super Saturday finished up with one win (the 1st XV over Liberton) and two losses (2nd XV at Dunfermline 2s, and 3rd XV v Queensferry 1s) but to use a cliché, the real winner was rugby. To have over sixty players going out on the one day, with the one focus and representing the one club is a massive achievement and one that should not be underestimated. While three teams regularly remains a goal rather than a reality, one thing is for certain and that is that the sun is well and truly shining back on Academy Park.

If your New Year's resolution involves getting back into rugby, getting fit or just making some new pals, get in touch. Play, volunteer, just drink beer and watch - you'll be made to feel very welcome.