Perthshire Rugby aims to provide the best rugby experience for our players, volunteers and members and this is the core of our approach.  In addition to our focus on Player Development, we have also recently taken steps to support Coach Development further, especially during lockdown. With that in mind, Perthshire Rugby is delighted to welcome Graham Smith as Coach Educator for our Mini Section and Andy Cummins to assist as Coach Educator for our Midi Section.  This will ensure that all coaches are fully supported throughout their time at the club and players have an enhanced experience when joining and playing at Perthshire Rugby

 

       

Graham Smith                                                    Andy Cummins

Mini Section                                                         Midi Section 

 

We put some questions to both of them, so you can get to know them a little better.

How long have you been involved with the club, or area?

Graham – I have been involved with rugby in the midlands area since 2010 when I was a DO for the SRU and had a lot of work based at the club. Positive Coaching Scotland and Caledonia training sessions were the initial ones mainly and when I first engaged with PRFC. I have since been involved as a coach and occasional helper and have turned out for the veterans team (usually pinching Jeremy Wares’ shirt!). I have ambitions to play again for the 2’s and hopefully will get that chance when things get back to normal.

Andy –  I have lived in the Perthshire area for over 20 years and I have been involved with the club as a player, coach and volunteer for most of that period.

What is your current role?

Graham – I am the Director of Sport and Head of Rugby at Glenalmond College. I am also a coach trainer and mentor within Scottish Rugby and have coached within the Caledonia set up, in various roles since 2011.

Andy – Currently I am employed by the Rugby Development Department of Scottish Rugby as a Regional Manager covering the Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross regions.  My main role is supporting the development programmes and pathways of those clubs and schools within those local regions and helping to grow the game as a whole both regionally and nationally.  In addition, I have been a rugby coach educator and tutor trainer for over 15 years and I am a currently coaching within the regional performance programme.

What is your favourite Perthshire memory?

Graham – Now then! I would say the mini section having their Christmas party at Glenalmond. It was frozen over and they were doing an orienteering route which involved a warm outdoor fire, hot chocolate and smores! They filled the dining hall at the end for hotdogs and burgers, and we announced the partnership between the school and the mini section as the main shirt sponsor. If not that, then the slow motion try I scored playing for the Vets against Howe of Fife has to be up there too!

Andy – Wow, really difficult to select a favourite Perthshire memory as there have been so many memorable events over the years.  As a player I was part of the undefeated League and National Bowl winning side, as a coach I had the good fortune to clinch 2 titles, but the best memories are those involving the Perthshire Rugby Family: the rugby development programme,  beer festival weekends, Glasgow Warriors vs Harlequins, the 150th anniversary celebrations: it’s amazing what can be achieved when the Perthshire “Family” set their minds to it.

How do you feel about the current direction Perthshire Rugby is heading? 

Graham – For a long time I have believed and shared the vision in what the development team and leadership at Perthshire Rugby have been doing. I have been on the periphery for a while, coming in occasionally to help with senior coaching or at the mini festival and really believe in the vision and direction the club is going. I am a firm believer in supporting your local rugby club and also that if we get the coaching right, the numbers in the club right, then the club can achieve great things on and off the pitch. The fact that the club manages to host the beer festival and one of the biggest mini tournaments each year, as well as host Glasgow Warriors and Harlequins for a preseason fixture tells you how much of a sleeping giant the club actually is.

Andy – Perthshire Rugby has been at the forefront of community rugby development in Scotland for over 15 years, and many of those programmes and strategies have been adopted by other clubs, sports and National Governing bodies. However, you should never take these successes for granted and if progression and excellence is to be achieved and maintained then we need to strive to maintain that consistency of performance and delivery and create growth in our knowledge and expertise of the game.
Three words to describe yourself.

Graham – Always finding positives!

Andy – Energetic, Positive, Scouser

What do you do in your spare time (if you have any)?

Graham – If you can explain what spare time is, I’ll happily answer!

Andy – Spare time? Those who know me, know of my love of all things sporting. I have been fortunate to have 3 children who have all participated in different sporting activities. Watching live sporting events always brings an inner smile, even more so when your own kids are participating.