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A Season With Stew/Mel
Summer 2005, and I decide to get back into rugby after
a six year absence. Originally playing for Langholm RFC
in the Borders and having no previous commitment to any
Edinburgh teams, I decided to choose a club at random and
go for it.
And what a club I found. Fishing around on the Internet,
I stumbled upon Bill McNie's excellent website, and, following
a brief chat via email with Riggers, I was off to Mary Erskine's
for pre-season training with Big G. Then to the mighty Inverleith,
with the grand red-brick stand juxtaposed with the impressive,
modern clubhouse and bowling green-like training pitches.
What a place to play rugby.
Few can understand the quality of facilities available
at Stew/Mel unless they've played at a lower level. To train
on pitches four times nicer than many league main pitches
is a thrill in itself. To then be coached by five different
coaches and a fitness specialist, treated by three physios
and various doctors and have a near constant rotation of
'guest' coaches and Pro players helping out, too, is a bounty
of riches and a real privilege.
What struck me was the atmosphere of learning at Stew/Mel.
Everything is geared towards an environment of player improvement
and there's a real commitment to amateur rugby that is fitting
for a club of such stature. Long may it continue, and those
at the club should feel honoured to be given such an amazing
platform on which to perform and learn the game.
The squad as a whole are a great bunch of lads. Despite
obvious school and team cliques, I was never met with any
suspicion or hostility. The senior players such as Paul
Wharakura and Sheesh seemed patient and happy to share their
knowledge and time with myself and the younger players.
The 'rookies' currently at the club are an obscenely talented
bunch, and I have no doubt many of them will feature heavily
for the club, region and country in the future.
What was also obvious was that the playing, coaching and
psychological make up of the club is very modern. The old-school
style of player, to be found struggling with the athletic
requirements of rush defence and high-tempo rucking and
mauling was nowhere to be seen. The coaching is geared towards
an expansive, champagne rugby style of play that can only
reflect well on Macca, Benzo and the rest of the coaching
team at the club.
Throughout my time so far at the club, I have met a host
of people working to move it in the right direction in a
modest and committed way. These include Dave Hunter, Stu
Thom, Malky, Nosebag, Tubbsy and Black Al. Not to mention
Mark 'winner' Coyle, Bill McNie, and, of course, the statistician,
President Riggers. There are also the folk who roll up on
match day and support the team from the stands, creating
an impressive sight and sound.
The club didn't deserve the relegation it got this season.
That much is obvious. Such is the structure and good feeling
at the club, however, that it seems that even a trip to
Premier Two won't stop the club's momentum. Let's hope that
Stew/Mel FP RFC can retain its player numbers and still
put out four successful teams, whilst still developing youngsters
and winning matches at all levels.
As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed my first season, albeit
it was an injury plagued one. I'm looking forward to playing
some rugby next season, and helping out at whatever level
I can.
I couldn't recommend a better club for someone to play
rugby at - long may that continue.
Brodie Smithers
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