Heriot’s Rugby Club have announced their coaching team for Blues Women in preparation for the upcoming Tennent’s Premiership 2023/24 season.
Craig Robertson takes the lead as Head Coach from pre-season in July, after being part of the Blues Men coaching team at Goldenacre since 2020. The promotion of Craig highlights the culture of developing coaches and players from within at the club overseen by Head of Rugby Development Sean Lineen.
The wider Heriot’s Blues Women coaching team boasts a wealth of knowledge and experience, including several former and current Scotland players:
- Backs Coach: Rhona Hume, Director of Women and Girls Rugby at Heriot’s Rugby Club is a former Scotland player with more than 15 years coaching experience. Off field Rhona has worked with elite athletes for 20 years as Co-founder of Red Sky Management.
- Forwards Coach: Ruth Slaven-Ross, former Head Coach of Heriot’s Blues Women and a former Scotland player has 10 years coaching experience across youth and women.
- Strength and Conditioning: Claire Mackie has an MSc in Strength and Conditioning and is undertaking UKSCA accreditation. Her specialist areas are high performance women’s sports preparation/strength and endurance, injury rehab and prehab.
Craig said, ‘‘ I am delighted to be appointed as Head Coach of the Blues Women. It is a great time to join the squad and I am looking forward to working with coaches and players this season to continue the upward trajectory that the squad are on. There could not be a better time to be involved in the women’s game in Scotland and I hope to make a positive impact.’’
Ruth said, “One of the benefits of coaching is remaining part of that team environment within rugby, which is so special. Having a diverse coaching team like we have is inspiring to me as a coach but also unique and incredibly valuable for the players.”
Rhona said, “It’s been quite the journey over the past four years with Blues Women contributing massively to a transformation at Heriot’s Rugby Club. The players have been as much a part of the effort to develop the team as management. To reward this squad of strong, kind women with a coaching and support structure they deserve is incredibly satisfying.
‘‘We had quality applicants for the Head Coach role, from all over the globe, many with international pedigree. Craig however, brings a special set of skills to leverage the best from our whole club. He epitomises our one club ethos and is the best person to drive us to achieving our full potential.”
Mel McCallum, President of Heriot’s Rugby Club said “We are pleased that Craig has been appointed HBW coach. We are well aware of his abilities in both coaching and team management. Craig’s step up underscores the importance we place on women’s rugby and our ambition to top the premiership.”