Tag Archive for: Senior Section

Senior Section Contact Form

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Level 4 Return to Rugby at Perthshire

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Training resumes on the North Inch from Saturday 20th March.

New Scottish Rugby guidance was published last week which paves the way for limited training to start again this weekend! Team managers and coaches will be in contact to confirm the training time(s) and pitch location for each team.

There are some rule changes that can be seen in the graphic, a summary are below. Otherwise it will be similar to before: hand sanitiser, equipment cleaning, pre-registration, Symptom Checker, Check-In/Out, no congregating, arrive & leave promptly. Remember the EAGLES Rules!

Children ages 11 & under:
• Touch Rugby (all formats).
• Maximum 30 people, in a bubble this including coaches.
• Coaches must remain physically distanced from all players & other coaches.
• Balls can be used (cleaned/sanitised before and after use).
• Max 1 parent/guardian can stay to observe their child train – they must maintain physical distancing at all times.
• Please note any child in P7 who is aged 12 cannot take part in this level of training.

Youth & Adult (ages 12 & over)
• Physically distanced non-contact rugby can resume.
• Non-contact does NOT allow touch rugby.
• Players and coaches must always stay >2m apart.
• Up to 15 people in a bubble, including coaches.
• Balls may be used and shared, hand hygiene and ball cleaning essential.
• No other equipment permitted.
• Max 1 parent/guardian can stay to observe their child train – they must maintain physical distancing at all times.

The Sports-Train App is essential for training to be safe & compliant with the guidelines. So please can all members check they can login to Sports-Train? If you have lost your login or are having issues DO NOT SET UP A NEW ACCOUNT instead e-mail clubcaptain@perthshire-rfc.co.uk

Everyone at the Club can play their part to create a COVID-19 safe and enjoyable return to rugby. It has been some time since last trained together so make the most of it and don’t forget to have fun! Any questions can be directed to your Team Manager, COVID-19 Team Lead or Coaches. The Club COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator is Ewan MacKessack-Leitch.

New players welcome too! Senior men please contact Head Coach Alan Clark, for all other sections contact Director of Rugby Sam Mountain.

For a more in-depth account of the COVID-19 policies & procedures a full range of resources, risk assessments and protocols (aimed at the Team Leads but feel free to browse) are available on the COVID-19 page.

Sky’s the Limit for New 1XV Captain

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Mat Rae sees potential and aims to lead the Eagles to the top.

Perthshire 1XV have appointed Mat Rae as their new Captain for the remainder of this season and going forward to 2021-22. Mat started his rugby in the Perthshire Midi section before progressing to the Seniors where he has played over 11 years, including as part of the league winning team in 2013-14 and was the 1XV Player of the Year 2020.

He is ambitious for the next campaign, whenever it can begin, and is enthused about the prospective team he will lead – with a strong current core to be augmented by an exciting crop of Colts coming up after the summer and new players joining.

Following confirmation of his selection Mat said, “I couldn’t believe it when Clarky asked me! It’s been something I’ve wanted to do since I started playing. When I joined the Senior section there were a lot of older inspirational guys who played, many who now still come down to support. I’d love to give them and the wider Club good games to watch and to feel like the Club is moving in the right direction.”

“To get there I’d love to have the lads as physically and mentally prepared as possible. Clarky’s Rugby School and Val taking our S&C classes over Zoom are getting us in shape. We’ve discussed tactics and decided how we want to play as a squad and as players we’re keeping each other motivated despite the difficulties of lockdown.”

Head Coach Alan Clark is sure Mat will rise to the challenge saying, “Mat was the obvious choice for 1XV Captain this year for me. Over the past 2-3 seasons he’s really developed into a leader on and off the pitch. He has the respect of coaches and players alike and wears his jersey with pride every time he puts it on. What’s also abundantly clear to is the way he cares about the Perthshire family – something he’s proven time and again over the past 18 months. I’m personally very excited about what Mat can bring to the job!

Mat takes over the captaincy from Ryan Miller who has returned to Jedburgh. Thanking him for his 7 years with the Eagles (4 as 1XV Captain) Clarky said, “Ryan has been a terrific captain, player and friend since he came to Perthshire. Having someone with a similar rugby background as captain since I became Head Coach has been great for me and Ryan has been massively supportive of what we’ve been trying to do with the Men’s squad. As a captain Ryan leaves us in a better place than we have been for a number of years and I’d like to thank him for the time and effort he’s put in to building a positive culture with our young squad. I wish him, Lucy and Ruaridh all the best for whatever comes next!”

Looking forward to the return of training, then matches, Mat is in bullish mood, “Individually we have a huge amount of talent and potential, if we can link together and play as a team, I believe we can do a lot of damage. There’s no reason why we can’t win the majority, if not all, our games!”

All players, of any ability and experience, are welcome to come and join Perthshire. New and returning players keen to play 1st or 2nd XV rugby are encouraged to contact Alan Clark headcoach@perthshire-rfc.co.uk and get involved with the exciting season ahead.

Follow “E A G L E S” Every Training Session

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To keep training COVID-19 safe remember to follow E A G L E S.

Dear Perthshire Rugby players, parents and coaches,

We have been back training on the North Inch for 12 weeks under the new COVID-19 rules. It has been great to see so many keen players having fun and taking part in a COVID-19 safe manner, following the procedures & guidance in place since August. However, “complacency is the enemy of success” so please, as the virus is spreading again, we must keep up the good work.

It has been brought to my attention there have recently been some lapses, so to keep us right here are the EAGLES rules:

  • EVERY player must pre-book for training and arrive on time.
  • AVOID training if you or anyone in your household has symptoms or you have been told to self-isolate.
  • GO straight to your pitch for Check in on the App.
  • LEAVE immediately after Check-out from training, exit the pitch, no congregating and keep 2m distance from other households.
  • EACH child may only have 1 parent down to watch training who MUST stay off the pitch and keep 2m distance from all other parents.
  • SOCIAL distancing of 2m when not taking part in training.

Thank you for your co-operation and compliance with EAGLES. We can only continue if we create a safe environment for training. Do not get upset if someone else from the Club reminds you of EAGLES, we are in this together and ultimately we must keep to these rules to allow training to continue safely.

Yours sincerely,

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

For a more in-depth account of the COVID-19 policies & procedures a full range of resources, risk assessments and protocols (aimed at the Team Leads but feel free to browse) are available on the COVID-19 page.

Instructions for Players as Training Returns to Perthshire

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A simple guide to follow to be ready for the return of rugby on the North Inch.

Stage 3 outdoor training is now permitted for all sections of the Club. Most teams have had one run out already, following feedback from that, here are instructions so training is COVID-19 safe and runs smoothly.

We are using the Sports-Train App for managing training. You must have this installed and be registered with your team. The correct team code can be obtained from your Team Lead. For instructions on setting up your account and registering child players see: https://sports-train.com/return-to-play.php

If you haven’t already done so the Scottish Rugby e-learning course is highly recommended.

This is a video walk-through of what to do and expect for every Stage 3 training session, each of the steps are listed below.

Please note players are allocated to a training “bubble” of a maximum of 15 people. Throughout Stage 3 players should only train with others from the same bubble.

Before Training

  • Every bubble has a designated time and pitch to train on. Know which bubble you are in and where you will be training.
  • Only confirm attendance for sessions of your bubble. On the parent App these are marked as a “reserved” place.
  • On the day you must have completed the COVID-19 Symptom checker and show no symptoms.
  • If you have any of the symptoms then you cannot train, instead you should self-isolate and request a coronavirus test immediately by visiting www.NHSinform.scot/test-and-protect

Check-in to Training

  • Come to training already changed and bring your own water bottle.
  • Bell’s is closed so there is no access to changing rooms or toilets.
  • Have your phone available (or parent to attend with phone) so that if there are errors on the App these can be corrected.
  • Arrive no more than 5 minutes before your session starts.
  • Go straight to your pitch and the check-in station.
  • The Coach/Team Lead will check you in using the App and give you some hand sanitiser.
  • Please DO NOT CHECK-IN YOURSELF on the App, this must be done at pitch side by the Coach/Team Lead.
  • Put your water bottle and any other kit (this should be minimal) at one of the cones on the top right side of the pitch.

During Training

  • Before & after breaks leave the active area at the middle right where the sanitising station is.
  • Always use the alcohol gel as you leave and enter the active area.
  • Do not share water bottles.
  • Social distancing of 2m must be maintained when not actively training.

Check-out of Training

  • Once the session is over collect your water bottle & kit.
  • The Coach/Team Lead will check you out on the App and give you some hand sanitiser.
  • Please DO NOT CHECK-OUT YOURSELF on the App, this must be done at pitch side by the Coach/Team Lead.
  • Exit immediately down the right side of the pitch.
  • Head straight home, do not congregate around the North Inch.

There are 2 hard rules, don’t get caught out!
1. Symptom check must be green (negative) or you cannot train.
2. No registration – no participation.

Everyone at the Club can play their part to create a COVID-19 safe and enjoyable return to rugby. It has been a long time since we were last allowed to train together so make the most of it and don’t forget to have fun! Any questions can be directed to your Team Manager, COVID-19 Team Lead or Coaches. The Club COVID-19 Safety Co-ordinator is Ewan MacKessack-Leitch.

New players welcome too! Senior men please contact Head Coach Alan Clark, for all other sections contact Director of Rugby Sam Mountain.

For a more in-depth account of the COVID-19 policies & procedures a full range of resources, risk assessments and protocols (aimed at the Team Leads but feel free to browse) are available on the COVID-19 page.

Return to Rugby Stage 3 Update

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COVID-19 Safe Training on the North Inch soon!

Perthshire Rugby would like to advise all members, players, parents and coaches that the next stage of the COVID-19 Return to Rugby plan is nearly ready to go. Almost every team has a COVID-19 Team Lead in place to work with the COVID-19 Safety Coordinator and this week the Club will be organising a training schedule for the duration of SRU Stage 3. These sessions are limited to 15 players maximum and every player will be placed into a “training bubble” who they will ideally train with each session for the entirety of Stage 3.

In due course players (& parents where appropriate) will be contacted by their Team Lead with a code to register for the Sports-Train App. This platform will handle all pre-registration, check-in/check-out and COVID-19 screening for every training session.

What can you do to be ready? Please watch this video from the SRU showing the Stage 3 training regulations and, if not already completed, the online e-learning course is compulsory for coaches and highly recommended for all players/parents.

Thank you for reading and getting excited about the return to rugby at Perthshire. The planned (but not confirmed) date for resuming Mini & Midi training is weekend 15/16th August. Your Team Lead will advise you once training sessions are organised to book on to. It will take time to get used to the new way of working and there will be regular communications from the Club and your Coaches. There may be delays or changes, we’re doing our best to get there as quickly and safely as possible.

Any questions or ideas contact Makka: clubcaptain@perthshire-rfc.co.uk

Return to Rugby at Perthshire RFC

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COVID-19 Safety Coordinator appointed and Club working to resume training once safe.

The SRU in conjunction with the Scottish Government recently published the Return to Rugby Roadmap. This details 6 Stages with indicative dates for the resumption of training then playing competitive rugby. There is a long uncertain road to travel until that point but, be assured, at Perthshire Rugby we are taking the necessary steps to get back as safely and effectively as possible.

Club Captain Ewan “Macka” MacKessack-Leitch has been appointed as our COVID-19 Safety Coordinator. This role is to “oversee the public health and safety measures across the club, ensuring that the club is operating in a safe manner and adheres to Scottish Government and SRU guidelines.”

An Action Plan has been developed following risk assessments, SRU guidance and input from across the Club. This will be a whole Club effort, every team will appoint a COVID-19 Team Lead to work with Macka to monitor and ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety procedures & protocols within their team/group.

Rugby is coming back to the North Inch! It will be different and take a bit more time until the necessary precautions and safeguards are in place, but we will be there soon. Your Team Managers or Section Heads will be in touch regarding the return to training – each will be working to their own timescale.

For more information, all guidance and recordings of training webinars are available and regularly updated on the SRU Return to Rugby site.

If you have any concerns, offers of help or advice around COVID-19; Macka would be very pleased to hear from you e-mail: clubcaptain@perthshire-rfc.co.uk

Perthshire Gather Online to Look Back over 2019-20 Season

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(The evening condensed into only 12 minutes!)

Congratulations to the awards winners and thank you to all who took part!

The evening Friday 29th May saw the Perthshire family dress up smartly and come together online via Zoom for the Annual Awards Night. The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the Club meeting up as normal but all assembled were determined to enjoy the celebration of the past season.

Before the event kicked-off, Jeremy Wares had led the online Cook Along Live where many of the Perthshire members, following his instructions, cooked a 3 course meal to enjoy prior to the main event. The award for best Tarte Tatin went to Dave Lewis, wooden spoon winner Andy Cummins was not impressed.

At 7:30pm Club Captain Ewan “MacKer” MacKessack-Leitch, who compered the evening, welcomed the over 80 households who had signed in to the Zoom call. After a quick reminder of the nominations and a game of “heads & tails,” that sort of worked, the Club Captain’s Toast to Perthshire was played out.

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Then it was time to start the awards. First up Arran Whittle won Colt’s Player of the Year for this ever-improving form which also saw him debut in the 2XV this season. Following that James Mair retained the Young Player of the Year award which he won last year, as he again improved stepping up to make the No. 8 shirt his own. Another person retaining their title from last year was Alasdair Nisbet who collected the Men’s Most Improved Player as he becomes a real force to be reckoned with in the front row.

After a year of phenomenal efforts and encouragements on & off the pitch Chris Wallace was rewarded with the 2XV Player of the Year trophy. James Mair was then back in the spotlight, as he saw off the competition to win the vote to be Men’s Players’ Player of the Year.

New awards this year were presented to the Women’s Section and Lynn Robertson picked up the Women’s Most Improved Player in her debut season where she has gained in confidence & ability on the pitch. The Women’s Players’ Player of the Year was a tightly contested affair, but the votes fell in favour of Lynne Stewart who has been an inspiration to many of her fellow teammates.

The moment for the big awards of the night arrived. The P6s won Mini Team of the Year in recognition of the amazing effort to win the Land Rover Rugby Tour 2020 Festival at Cardiff Arms Park. Sarah Hogwood was crowned Women’s Player of the Year and Mathew “Biebs” Rae won 1XV Player of the Year; both played on the front foot all season and led by example to their teammates and justly deserved the awards. Team of the Year went to the U16s for their big achievement finishing 2nd in the Shogun Conference and the representative honours for Caledonia, Glasgow Warriors & Scotland some of their players achieved.

Finally, following a difficult year for the Club both on & off the pitch, the Club Person of the Year was awarded to John McLaughlin. As Club President he has been there throughout: supporting the 1XV on match days when results have been poor, working behind the scenes and entertaining sponsors in the Clubhouse, as well as ably helping the Club following the sad losses of both Granny G and Adam Pattinson.

A Boat Race time trial was held and you’ll have to watch the highlights video (top of the page) to find out who won!
Throughout the evening reports of the activities from each section were given either as videos or speeches from that section. The Mini & Midi season review videos can be seen at the bottom of the page.

Full List of Award Winners:

Senior Section
Colts’ Player of the Year: Arran Whittle
Young Player of the Year: James Mair
Most Improved Player: Alasdair Nisbet
2XV Player of the Year: Chris Wallace
Players’ Player of the Year: James Mair
Player of the Year: Mat Rae

Women’s Section
Most Improved Player: Lynn Robertson
Players’ Player of the Year: Lynne Stewart
Player of the Year: Sarah Hogwood

Whole Club
Mini Team of the Year: P6
Team of the Year: U16
Club Person of the Year: John McLaughlin

Perthshire Rugby Awards 2020

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UPDATE:
An alternative online interactive event is being held on Friday 29th May at 7:30pm instead. Login details will be sent out via section heads. Please note formal attire still expected (at least what can be seen on camera).

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Rugby stopped abruptly earlier this year but there is still lots to celebrate from the 2019-20 season.
The last season has been testing on & off the rugby pitch for Perthshire. Our Club values of Sportsmanship, Pride, Respect and Inclusion have shone through and brought some success. Now is the time to look back and recognise some of the players, teams, supporters and members who have excelled this last year.
The nominations for this years’ awards are:
Senior Section
Colts’ Player of the Year:
Adam Mellis, Aedan Milne, Arran Whittle
Young Player of the Year:
James Mair, Alasdair Nisbet, Kieran Ramsay
Most Improved Player:
Andrew Jack, Jack McIntosh, Alasdair Nisbet
2XV Player of the Year:
Rabson Chipakupaku, Rhys Darlington, Chris Wallace
Players’ Player of the Year:
Ewen MacDonald, James Mair, Mat Rae
Player of the Year:
Ross Angus, James Mair, Mat Rae

Women’s Section
Most Improved Player:
Lydia McGinley, Suzanne Rennie, Lynn Robertson
Players’ Player of the Year:
Lydia McGinley, Lynne Stewart, Paula Watson
Player of the Year:
Sarah Hogwood, Heather Kirkman, Lydia McGinley

Whole Club
Mini Team of the Year:
P5, P6, P7
Team of the Year:
U13, U16, Women
Club Person of the Year:
To be announced on the night

Well done to all those nominated.

Perthshire Not Closed in the Close Season

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