Tag Archive for: LiveRugbyPerthshireRugby

Fast Start to Perthshire Preseason

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Fitness and mindset to the fore as Eagles prepare for crunch season ahead.

The 3 weeks of preseason training are already completed and the 4th week begins with more numbers and enthusiasm from across the Senior squad. The 1XV will again compete in TENNENT’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3, but as current plans stand due to restructuring next season 6 or 7 teams will be relegated. There is no room for a slow start. Likewise, the 2XV must also start strongly as they compete in a reformatted TENNENT’S CALEDONIA MIDLANDS REGION LEAGUE DIVISION 3 and aim to progress out of their mini-conference in to the top end of the league.

Head Coach Alan Clark knows the value of a strong preseason saying, “It’s hugely important for us to get out of the blocks fast this season. With that in mind we’ve spent time as a group planning our overall approach. Conditioning is obviously a key part of that and the guys have worked incredibly hard since the end of last season in that regard. However, the biggest plus for us as a coaching team is the shift in mindset from the players. There’s a real belief in what they can achieve which is incredibly exciting to see.”

Enjoying the first 3 weeks of preseason and taking encouragement from the progress so far, 1XV captain Mat Rae believes the 2022-23 season could see something special, “This year we’ve definitely hit the ground running with preseason. The lads have all kept fit during the off season and it means we have progressed our skills and techniques much faster than previous years. Our coaches and new Director of Rugby are doing an amazing job with training and the lads are on board doing an incredible job pushing themselves to do better every session. We have huge ambitions for this year and if we keep improving like we are, we will be on to something special.”

Soon the effects of the training will be tested on the pitch. The squad travel to Blackpool to take on Fylde RFC in a highly anticipated Tour match and team building weekend 5-8th August, before the Lochside 10s tournament hosted by Strathmore RFC and then friendlies against Dalkeith RFC and Kirkcaldy RFC.

Club Captain Ewan MacKessack-Leitch was pleased to see so many teammates back at training ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, “The off-season was a welcome break, but nothing quite compares to getting back in with your team and working hard for shared purpose. We all know how important this season could be and I’m encouraged with the buy in from all players: young & old, new & returning. The coaching team have set up a positive culture and we want to build on the strong end to last season and make an impact in both leagues from match one.

The squad has recruited new players and there are many returning too. Training is at the North Inch every Tuesday & Thursday night, 6:30pm-8pm. Players of any ability are welcome to join the squad, get in contact by e-mailing Head of Senior Section, Chris Wallace senior@perthshire-rfc.co.uk, phoning/messaging Head Coach Alan Clark on 07580676712 or through the online contact form.

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

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!

Invitation to the Perthshire End of Season Awards Dinner

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Tickets on sale NOW!

The 2021-22 season has nearly concluded, what a year of ups & downs on & off the pitch. To celebrate all players, coaches, parents, members and supporters are invited to the annual Awards Dinner. Its an evening not to missed with 12 awards to be announced and presented on the night across the whole Perthshire Rugby Club.

Look out for the nominations being announced over the coming weeks on the website and social media.

It will be held in the Salutation Hotel, 34 South Street, Perth on Friday 27th May 2022. Arriving from 7pm to be seated by 7:30pm.

Tickets at £40 per head, can be obtained via the Club webshop and tables will seat 8 people. 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 can claim 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

Discounted room rates for guests will be available from the Salutation Hotel. Details to follow.

Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 11th February 2022

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Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 11th February 2022

This morning Perthshire Rugby were informed of 2 positive coronavirus test results from within the Senior squad who trained this week. As the changing rooms were used it is possible that team members were exposed indoors where transmission risk is higher than outside during the training session.

We have already been in touch directly with everyone who, through our Track & Trace system, have been identified as a possible contact of the positive case. Scottish Rugby have been informed and full cooperation is being offered to NHS Test & Protect and NHS Tayside.

In line with the Club’s COVID-19 policy and upon liaison with the Senior Section coaches and Club Committee it was agreed to ask to postpone both Senior fixtures this weekend: the 1XV at home to Berwick and the 2XV at away to Dunfermline 2XV. This was the only decision that the Club could safely take allowing the NHS time to contact trace and provide advice.

As is standard procedure the Club’s polices and risk assessment will be reviewed to see if there is a way of reducing the chance of a repeat in the future. I am thankful to all members of Perthshire Rugby and the wider community for their support and understanding. COVID-19 is not yet away and precautions must be taken, even if it means a frustrating postponement of matches when there is such enthusiasm and ambition in the squad to play.

No other sections of the Club are affected so Mini, Midi and Women’s rugby at Perthshire continue as planned.

 

Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
Club Captain and COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator
Perthshire Rugby

Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 9th January 2022

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Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 9th January 2022

Earlier today Perthshire Rugby were notified that one of our Senior Section members who recently attended the Club has tested positive for COVID-19. We have already been in touch directly with everyone who, through our Track & Trace system, have been identified as a possible contact of the positive case. Scottish Rugby have been informed and full cooperation is being offered to NHS Test & Protect and NHS Tayside.

The Club Committee will be briefed at the scheduled meeting on Monday 10th January. With the new variants and high incidence a review of our COVID-19 policies and risk assessments was completed last week. The Committee will see if any more can practically be done to limit risk of transmission within the current environment.

While unfortunate, this was always a possibility and remains a constant danger. The Club have followed and operated COVID-19 safety measures which are regularly updated with the latest guidance from SRU and Scottish Government. Thank you to all the Club for their understanding and continued adherence to our COVID-19 polices & procedures.

No other sections of the Club are affected so Mini, Midi and Women’s rugby at Perthshire continue as planned.

Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
Club Captain and COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator
Perthshire Rugby

Invitation to the Perthshire Christmas Party

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11th December 6:30pm for 7pm at the Station Hotel, Perth.

All members and supporters are invited to join the Perthshire Rugby Christmas Party on 11th December. A 3 course meal, DJ, dancefloor, raffle and maybe a game or two – come and join the fun!

Tickets at £38 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 Thursday 2nd December. The dress code is formal black tie attire.

The menu for the evening is below and you will be asked to pre-order your choices (please advise of any dietary requirements):

Starter
• Ham hock pickled carrots and wholegrain mustard terrine
• Salt cod fritters served with pil-pil sauce
• Emmental and caramelized onion quiche
Main
• Duck leg confit served with fondant potatoes, sweet pot puree and red berries jam
• Smoked salmon and sea food risotto
• Beetroot and goat cheese tortellini served with green pea velouté
Dessert
• Ruby chocolate fondant served with vanilla ice cream
• Spiced apple tart served with maple walnut ice cream
• Blackberry and yoghurt panna cotta served with chocolate mouse

That Saturday there are 2 homes fixtures for the Seniors the 1XV v Berwick and the 2XV v Montrose, why not make a day of it? Watch the matches, join the fun in the Bowling Club afterwards and then celebrate Christmas in style at the Station Hotel.

The Station Hotel are offering a special rates for rooms on a bed & breakfast basis for us that night:
 • Single room £60 per room per night
 • Double/twin room £75 per room per night
 • Book by e-mail events@perthstationhotel.co.uk quoting HLAC-071021.
Station Hotel accommodation is closed for 3 months so rooms cannot be booked.

Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 8th October 2021

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Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 8th October 2021

Earlier today the Club was informed of a positive lateral flow test result for COVID-19 amongst the Senior squad who trained this week. As the changing rooms were used it is possible that team members were exposed indoors where transmission risk is higher than outside during the training session.

The PCR result is not expected until Saturday morning at the earliest which is too late to wait and make a decision on fixtures. Upon liaison with the Senior Section coaches, Club Committee and SRU it was decided to postpone both Senior fixtures this weekend: the 1XV away to Hillhead Jordanhill and the 2XV at home to Grangemouth 2XV. This was not a decision made lightly but we must do what is sensible and practical.

Should the PCR report back a positive result then we shall assist NHS Test & Protect with any contact tracing or other enquiries they may have.

As is standard procedure the Club’s polices and risk assessment will be reviewed to see if there is a way of reducing the chance of a repeat in the future. I am thankful to all members of Perthshire Rugby and the wider community for their support and understanding. COVID-19 is not yet away and precautions must be taken, even if it means a frustrating postponement of matches when we had started to build a bit of momentum in the squad.

No other sections of the Club are affected so Mini, Midi and Women’s rugby at Perthshire continue as planned.

Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
Club Captain and COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator
Perthshire Rugby

Perthshire Senior Preseason Bangs into Action

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Preparations begin for league campaigns just 6 weeks away.

One week of preseason training completed and there is a positive hard working spirit around the squad. With only 6 weeks until the Leagues start there is no time for taking it easy with Head Coach Alan Clark working his players hard in fitness and getting back to contact after a long pandemic lay-off.

Following the return to training Head Coach Alan Clark

said, “It’s fantastic to be back on the North Inch every Tuesday and Thursday with the boys. The chance to get back into competitive rugby is very exciting and it’s been really good to see both returning players from last season and new faces. Our focus this season is firmly on enjoying it after a long layoff and there’s certainly been a whole load of that so far!”

New 1XV captain Mat Rae was excited to get back to training saying, “It’s been brilliant to get down to the North Inch again and see all the lads. Training has been especially tough with the hot weather but the team are giving 100%. We’re all on the same page for what we want to achieve this season and the coaches have been brilliant with the drills and structure of training to help us reach our ambitions.”

The fixture lists for the coming league season have been published. The 1XV will compete in a revised 10-team TENNENT’S NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 and the 2XV will play in TENNENT’S CALEDONIA MIDLANDS REGION LEAGUE DIVISION 3.

Club Captain Ewan MacKessack-Leitch was pleased to see so many teammates back at training ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, “After such a long break from competitive action, I can sense there is a positive attitude in the squad to come together and get back to where we left off many months ago. Training this week was intense but good, and there is a real hunger to build up and for both 1s and 2s to challenge in our respective leagues this season. The hard work starts now.”

The squad has recruited new players and there are many returning too. Training is at the North Inch every Tuesday & Thursday night, 6:30pm-8pm. Players of any ability are welcome to join the squad, get in contact by e-mailing Head Coach Alan Clark or Club Captain Ewan MacKessack-Leitch or through the online contact form.

Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 5th July 2021

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Notice of Positive COVID-19 Case at Perthshire Rugby 5th July 2021

After the precautionary suspension of S&C ended last week training resumed as planned. Unfortunately a Midi player who attended on the return has since tested positive for COVID-19.

We have been in touch directly with everyone who, through our Track & Trace system, have been identified as a possible contact of the positive case. Both Scottish Rugby and Live Active Leisure have been informed and full cooperation is being provided to NHS Test & Protect and NHS Tayside.

In light of this so soon after the last case and the very high case rate in the area, the most sensible option is to cease all indoor training and S&C in the gym for 2 weeks until week beginning Monday 19th July.

Outdoor activities can continue unaffected but all participants are reminded to follow the hygiene and COVID-19 safety processes.

Ewan MacKessack-Leitch
Club Captain and COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator
Perthshire Rugby