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The Stew Mel Lions
| Stewart's Melville FP RFC Junior Section was launched
at the start of the 1996-97 rugby season with two main
aims - to foster youngsters' enjoyment of rugby and
to provide high quality coaching. Please review our
mission
statement. |
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 Bill
Gammell scoring at try against Ireland at Murrayfield
despite a tackle from Mike Gibson. Jim Renwick and
Andy Irvine are in support.
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Jim
Calder playing for British Lions - Nigel Melville, England
and Ian Paxton, Scotland look on |
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Now renamed Stew Mel Lions, we are actively
promoting our fully open membership policy, which
means anyone, between the ages of 4 and 14 with an
interest in the game, is welcome. Who knows, you could
be playing for Scotland in the future, like many of
our coaches and volunteers have done. Bill Gammell,
Iwan Tukalo, Jim and Fin Calder to name but a few.
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Our History
Run by willing parents who volunteer their time and talents,
the Section took off with the full backing of the Rugby
Club, under the Presidency of Willie Crawford, and the Headmaster
of the Junior School, Bryan Lewis. This working party gradually
became the management committee and comprised, amongst others,
John Longstaff, Bernard McDonald, Gerry Boobis, Ian Hanlin,
Jim Calder and Mike Sims.
| Parents who had offered to assist with the coaching
duties were invited to coaching clinics run by Ian Mclean,
one of the SRU Development Officers, and the Rugby Club's
coach at that time. 35 parents attended the first session.
Other volunteers were invited to look after catering,
finance and fixtures. |
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Finlay
Calder passing to Jim, Edinburgh v South. A young
Alan Tait in the background.
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Finlay
Calder, Scotland and British Lions playing for Stewart's
Melville.
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In June 1996 an open day was held at Inverleith to
launch the Section. Sean Lineen and Finlay Calder
were the "stars" on the day, which
was attended by over 200 youngsters.
The mass warm at the start of the event was thought
to be the largest warm up ever!
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Bernard McDonald was appointed the first Chairman of the
Junior Section and remained in the seat for three years.
Ian Hanlin "coached the coaches" and Jim
Calder was responsible for the development of the Section.
Into the Millennium
Since 1996 the Section has gone from strength to strength
and now has over 200 members making Sunday training very
much a family occasion. We have hosted and won several tournaments
and regularly welcome other rugby clubs at Inverleith. We
have been successful in attracting corporate sponsorship
and are particularly grateful to ISIS for their support
again this season.
Want to know more? Email info@stewmelrugby.com
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