Tournament success for Lions

The Lions have had a very busy start to the season. The club was encouraged by the SRU to take on as many fixtures as possible at the start of the season after the poor weather we have experienced in the last couple of winters. It has meant that each age group has had a frantic start to the season and we have all not had as much time coaching as we would have liked. Also, we have taken on more fixtures this year as we have so many players at each age group who wish to play against other clubs. We will reduce the work load for next season.

Nonetheless, the club has yet again distinguished itself on the rugby pitch. Already, the P5 have been runners up at Biggar, P6 have won at Marr and North Berwick and the P7 were runners up at North Berwick.

Even these results have been eclipsed by our fantastic showing at the Stew Mel Lions Tournament on the 7th October where the P4's won bronze, P5's gold, P6's gold and bronze and P7's gold. It is very satisfying to see the success being continued and it bestows great credit on the coaching staff and players at each group.

The S1 and S2 age groups have had a very limited season concentrating on playing the Scottish Cup in April 2002. Nonetheless, they recently had a session with a specialist sprint coach and have endured a Gullane training session on the sand dunes!! They played their first match on Sunday away at Stirling County and both teams won by 40 points. This is very promising for their assault on the Scottish Cup.

Scruff, Graham Shield, Fraser Deeming, Dougie Ryecroft and friends

Mind you, lets not forget that the club's sole aim is not about winning. It is concerned with increasing participation and I am happy to report that the numbers who have returned and new members joining has increased. The Lion cubs (nursery, P1 and P2) have over 40 members, as do the P3's who have graduated on to 'touch rugby'. This is a notable success and the recruitment of new players was bolstered by our Open Day in the August sunshine. The bouncy castle, Scruff the SRU mascot and Graham Shield the Scotland player made the day thrilling and exciting for all the children. Days like the Open Day do not just happen. On the contrary, considerable hard work and planning is put in to make the day just run smoothly. Lindsay Hamilton was responsible for the organisation of the day and he and his team of helpers must be thanked for making it such a success.

Similarly, the organisation of the Tournament was superb. We can boast that we operate the largest Rugby Festival in Scotland. The countless parents who have given up their time and effort has been outstanding (and thank you for all the filled rolls!) This drive and enthusiasm has made the tournament the envy of every junior section in Scotland. We have been inundated with positive feedback. We are indebted to Sophron Partners for their financial support and for the grant from SPORTSMATCH both of which underpinned the tournament. It will be our duty to ensure that next year's event is bigger and even better.

Other key initiatives have been progressing. We have received further sponsorhip from Edinburgh Fund Managers and another grant from SPORTSMATCH which has allowed us to employ two part time development officers to work with the club on Sundays. In addition, they are soon to embark on coaching sessions at Flora Stevenson, Stockbridge and Blackhall primary schools. We hope that this will encourage more children to play rugby and provide the senior club with another stream of talented players in the longer term. The two coaches are very promising young rugby players who are still at university. They are Fraser Deeming who plays for the Stewart's Melville 1stXV and is coaching the P3's and Kelly Brown who plays for Melrose, is working with the Lion cubs. They have both settled in very well.

The SRU held a Level coaching course at Inverleith in September. Another 12 Lions coaches passed with flying colours. This now means that the club has over 40 qualified coaches involved every Sunday.

I can also confirm that the club has secured the use of the Ravelston Sports club for all age groups in December and January. This will ensure that the children continue to have training in the warmth and comfort of either the Sports Hall at Queensferry Road or Ravelston Dykes Gym Hall. Details of training sessions will be posted on the web in the near future.

Our new clothing supplier Kukri have finally started delivering our new gear. The club now has a new fleece, baseball hats, change strip and club track suit and I would encourage mums, dads children to purchase the clothing and support the Lions.

I am sure you have been touched by the great enthusiasm and optimism at the junior and senior club. They have joined us on the web site.

The senior club is currently top of the Premier Division 3 with a really good chance of promotion. The club is being driven forward by our new chief executive Allan Munro with the realistic ambition to return Stewart's Melville to the top of Scottish rugby. The Lions are an integral part of these developments and the children, parents and coaches can be very satisfied by the successful start to the season.

Finally, I have been helping out with the P3 coaching in the last month. It has been exhilarating to witness the happy smiling faces every Sunday. I just hope the weather stays mild.

John Campbell
Chairman,
October,2001

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Scotsman, Sports page, Saturday 30th September, 2000
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