Awards Night Successes Across Perthshire Rugby

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Great night where 15 awards were presented and all PRFC were winners!

The Salutation Hotel was packed on Friday 27th May when players, members, supporters, coaches and parents from across Perthshire Rugby came together to celebrate the end of the 2021-22 season and find out who had won in each of the award categories.

Club Captain Ewan “Macca” MacKessack-Leitch hosted the evening and after a brief welcome, game of Heads & Tails and toast to the Club the meal was served and everyone was ready for a night of pride, laughter, cheers, singing and lots of applause.

Kicking the awards off, Ben Cameron won the Colts’ Player of the Year, an exciting player the whole year he made an impact too at the end of the season playing for the 2XV. Next up Aidan Watson collected Young Player of the Year after a season of consistently good performances in the backline. Then the Most Improved Player awards for the Men went to Rhys Darlington, in the year he has broken through from the 2XV into the 1XV, and for the Women, Lynn Robertson continued to impress the coaches with her progress picking this award up for the second time.

For 2XV Player of the Year, Arran Sheach got the nod gaining this award for stepping up to the role of Captain in the latter stages of the league and helping inspire the team to a winning streak at the end. The players cast their votes for the next award, Iona Coutts, receiving the Women’s Players’ Player of the Year Award; this bodes well for her taking on the role as Head Coach next season. In what was a very close vote, Angus Walker topped the poll for Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.

The Coach of the Year Award was new this season. Inaugurated to recognise excellence amongst coaches within the Club, this was won by Graham Binnie for his roles both in the U16 Girls, establishing the team and winning silverware at Murrayfield, and with the U14 Boys.

After the Women’s Season Review, Campbell Watson was presented with a Special Recognition Award from the Club to thank him for all the work he has done to re-establish the Women’s team and build them up to competitive fixtures again, in addition to all the coaching he has provided over many years in the Midi and now Senior teams.

With the return to competitive season some teams in Perthshire have stood out. Mini Team of the year was won by the ever improving and exciting P6s who always demonstrate Perthshire values. The Team of the Year went to U15 Boys who have grown up and developed as players & a team to become runners-up in the Caledonia Youth Cup Final.

Now it was time for the Player of the Year awards. In the Women’s Section this went to Heather McKenzie as she has put her all into the matches played and taken on board what the coaches have said to get better & better. In the 1XV Angus Walker, “made it a double,” adding Player of the Year to the Players’ Player he won earlier. The coaches were in agreement, Angus’ dedication and hard work at training, S&C, in the gym and on matchdays made him stand out; performances have only got better and opposition now hate to play against him.

Next in a surprise, the U16 Girls were presented with a Special Recognition Award from the Club to commend them for their performance as part of the Tayside Girls team that contested 2 finals and winning the U16 Girl’s National Shield. Coach Graham Binnie, collecting on behalf of the team, cannot wait to present the players with the trophy as he was so proud of the efforts they had made and success gained this year.

Finally the last award of the night Club Person of the Year, in a twist he didn’t see coming, was awarded to Ewan “MacKer” MacKessack-Leitch. This was the popular choice all in the room standing to applaud in recognition of the COVID-19 protocols, gumshields for senior players, match reports, leadership on & off the pitch and showing the best of Perthshire values: Sportsmanship, Pride, Respect and Inclusion.

The night ended on a high with new appointed Director of Rugby Graham “Smudge” Smith introduced to the Club and having a few minutes to described his excitement and positive vision for a growing and ever successful Perthshire Rugby Club.

That was it! What a night, congratulations to all the nominees and winners. Thank you to all Perthshire players, coaches, parents, volunteers, supporters & members who have been with us this season; we restarted and played rugby again with smiles on our faces and pride in our hearts! Onwards to better things in a few months’ time when preseason 2022-23 begins.

 

Full List of Award Winners:

Senior Section
Colts’ Player of the Year: Ben Cameron
Young Player of the Year: Aidan Watson
Most Improved Player: Rhys Darlington
2XV Player of the Year: Arran Sheach
Players’ Player of the Year: Angus Walker
Player of the Year: Angus Walker

Women’s Section
Most Improved Player: Lynn Robertson
Players’ Player of the Year: Iona Coutts
Player of the Year: Heather McKenzie

Whole Club
Special Recognition Awards: Campbell Watson;   U16 Girls.
Coach of the Year: Graham Binnie
Mini Team of the Year: P6
Team of the Year: U15 Boys
Club Person of the Year: Ewan MacKessack-Leitch

Development Officer Role Opportunity

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Development Officer 

Closing date for applications : 27th May 2022

Perthshire RFC is based at the North Inch Perth and we have not long ago celebrated our 150th Anniversary. We deliver a comprehensive rugby programme for men, women, girls & boys. There’s strength and depth in our community with over 350 players and 70+ coaches and more than 550 members. We currently have one of biggest Midi and Mini sections in Scotland.

Perthshire RFC seeks to appoint a Full Time Development Officer to increase engagement and develop a thriving sporting environment at the Club. This will be achieved through; target youth and schools work, robust Club Development Planning, building strong and effective partnerships, workforce recruitment and development, plus targeted focus on the growth of the Women’s and Girls Game.

This will ensure that a vibrant rugby environment is on offer to all interested parties and at the centre of sustainable rugby development in the community.

Key Responsibilities:

  • To support the development and implementation of a robust Club Development Plan.
  • To raise the profile of rugby in the local community, with specific focus on developing strong ties with the Community Sports Hubs.
  • To support the Club in developing a strong and sustainable Youth structure, increasing participation numbers at all age groups, plus providing regular training and playing opportunities.
  • To specifically support the Club in developing a strong and sustainable Women and Girls structure, increasing participation numbers at all age groups, plus providing regular training and playing opportunities.
  • To support development of Coaches and support staff by training to become acquainted with Scottish Rugby’s Training and Education pathway.
  • To work in partnership with Local Authority in identifying vulnerable young people, and providing them with support, plus opportunities for personal development.
  • To assist with the co-ordination and then manage and deliver sports events, festivals, and holiday programmes.
  • To create links between the Club, schools and local communities establishing clear pathways for talented players to progress to performance and National level.

Salary  : £18,000 – £23,000 (dependant on skills & competencies brought to the role)

To apply email your CV and any supporting information to Head of Development Eamon O’Brien hod@perthshire-rfc.co.uk

Notice of AGM 2022

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All members are welcome to come along to Perthshire Rugby’s AGM at 7pm on Thursday 26th May in the clubhouse. This is your chance to recap on the club’s achievements during the past season and future plans. Committee members will also be elected for season 2022/23 and all the Section Heads will be giving a brief report on their activities throughout the year.

Members are welcome to raise any topic they wish to discuss but these should be submitted in writing prior to the event by emailing Bob Lindsay, Club Secretary at secretary@perthshire-rfc.co.uk or Allan Brown, Chief Executive at ceo@perthshire-rfc.co.uk no later than 12th May 2022.

All players are particularly welcome to attend and it would be good to see a large turnout for this important event in Perthshire Rugby’s calendar.

Many thanks

Perthshire Rugby Committee

Perthshire Lands New Women’s Head Coach

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Perthshire Rugby are delighted to announce that we have appointed Iona Coutts as our new Women’s team head coach. As a player Iona started her rugby career as a student but made it all the way to international honours. After a break of 15 years, she joined Perthshire to start playing again and has contributed greatly to the club over the last few seasons. With a background in teaching and a good knowledge of the group already Iona is in the perfect place to hit the ground running and grow the team on the back of the success Perthshire had as the lead club in the Midlands Development Team last season.

Commenting on the news, Perthshire’s Head of Senior Rugby, Fin Hay, said “I’m absolutely delighted to be able to have Iona on board. The club are hugely passionate about growing our women’s section and getting someone of Iona’s experience and knowledge is going to help us really push on with our ambitions. I’d also like to thank Campbell Watson for the huge amount of time and effort he has put into the head coach role over the last few years. He’s given the team a fantastic platform from which Iona can build on and take the team forward.”

Upon her appointment Iona said “I am delighted to be part of the return of women’s rugby to the North Inch. I look forward to playing my part in helping the club be a place for women and girls to play competitive and social rugby. One of my priorities is to attract new players of all ages and levels of experience and to continue to be an inclusive and friendly club.”

Shortlist for Club Awards 2022 released!

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Get your tickets NOW for the Perthshire RFC End of Season Awards Dinner on Friday 27th May.

The nominations are in for Awards Dinner! This night is set to be a celebration of all things Perthshire Rugby with: 13 awards presented – including the new Coach of the Year award.

Hosted by Club Captain, Ewan “Macca” MacKessack-Leitch, as well the awards presentations, games and raffle, you will be entertained by a review of the Men’s Season by Head Coach Alan Clark while Coach Campbell Watson and Captain Lynne Stewart review the Women’s Season. Perthshire Rugby will also welcome our new Director of Rugby Graham “Smudge” Smith who will speak about his excitement and vision for Perthshire in the years to come.

Join your whole Club to mark the end of the 2021-22 season and celebrate our return to training & playing rugby after months laid off by COVID-19. Arrive from 7pm to be seated by 7:30pm at the at the Salutation Hotel, Perth.

Tickets at £40 per head, can be obtained via the Club webshop (individual or a table of 8). Alternatively, they can be bought in cash given to the Club Captain Ewan MacKessack-Leitch. Closing date for ticket sales is 16th May.

Concessions and Colts can claim a £10 discount off their ticket. As a thank you for all your hard work over the season Club coaches will also get this discount. Please ask your Section Head for the discount code for the webshop.

The menu will be: Lentil soup (v); Roast sirloin of Scottish beef, red wine gravy with vegetables and potatoes; Sticky toffee pudding; Tea or coffee with dark chocolate mints. To advise of preferred table seating and dietary requirements (vegetarian/vegan alternative available) please write in the “Order Notes.” All other queries please e-mail: clubcaptain@perthshire-rfc.co.uk

The full list of awards & nominations for this year are:

Senior Men’s
Colts’ Player of the Year:
Ben Cameron, Callum MacGugan, Ruaridh Leck
Young Player of the Year:
Tom Colvin, Ross Goodison, Aidan Watson
Most Improved Player:
Rhys Darlington, Ewan MacKessack-Leitch, Arran Sheach
2XV Player of the Year:
Rabson Chipakupaku, Kieran Maclean, Arran Sheach
Players’ Player of the Year:
Calum Chalmers, Kieran Ramsay, Angus Walker
1XV Player of the Year:
Calum Chalmers, Angus Walker, Aidan Watson

Seniors Women’s
Most Improved Player:
Alison Kerr, Bev McNab, Lynn Robertson
Players’ Player of the Year:
Iona Coutts, Lynn Robertson, Lynne Stewart
Player of the Year:
Heather McKenzie, Suzanne Rennie, Lynne Stewart

Whole Club
Coach of the Year:
Chris Ayres, Graham Binnie, Stuart Ferrier
Mini Team of the Year:
P4, P6, P7
Team of the Year:
U15 Boys, U16 Girls, Colts
Club Person of the Year:
To be announced on the night

Well done to all those nominated. Be there on the 27th May to see who has won!