A heriot's rugby club Article
MEN'S COACHING TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR 2024/25 SEASON
Jonathan Cruickshank ©
With Season ‘24/’25 preparations well underway at Goldenacre, Heriot’s Rugby Club is pleased to announce coaching teams for the Men’s 1st, 2nd, and 2A XVs.
As ever there will be a joined up approach to 1st, 2nd and 2AXV rugby at Goldenacre, and consistent branding across teams is a key aspect of that. As a result, teams will be known as ‘Heriot’s Rugby Men’ with the ‘Heriot’s Blues’ branding being retired after a hugely successful 6yrs.
Following the conclusion of the Super Series Sprint, Ben Cairns will be pursuing full-time rugby opportunities and is stepping down as Heriot’s Rugby Super Series Head Coach. Everyone at Goldenacre wishes Ben all the best in the next step of his rugby coaching career and we are delighted that he will remain involved with the club both on and off the pitch. Phil Smith, the most decorated coach in the club’s history with three League Titles, four Scottish Cups and two Charity Shield wins, will transition into a newly created role of ‘Head of Player and Coach Development’ with a focus on talent progression across the club.
Ben Cairns and John Hardie – Malcolm Mackenzie ©
Fin Gillies, current Super Series Forwards Coach, will step away from a full-time coaching role at Heriot’s but will remain involved in player development.
Bob McKillop – Jonathan Cruickshank ©
For the 1st XV Bob McKillop, ex-Scotland U20 and current Edinburgh IDC coach, is appointed Head Coach, assisted by Super Series coaches Stuart Edwards (Attack) and John Hardie (Contact) along with Jamie Parker (Forwards), from the Blues. We have placed a huge emphasis in continuing the level of rugby we have been accustomed to throughout the Super Series, and the 1st XV coaching team we have put in place will enable us to do that.
The player performance pathway remains a key priority at Goldenacre and we are delighted to announce a very strong 2nd and 2AXV coaching team, with two of our most distinguished players making moves into coaching.
Oliver Brown is appointed 2nd XV Head Coach, with Michael Goldie named as 2A XV Head Coach. OJ and Michael will be assisted by former 1st XV Captain and Premiership Player Of The Year Iain Wilson who is stepping back from playing full time, and Super Series prop Chris Keen who will take on a player/scrum coach role for the 1st and 2/2A XVs. The team is further assisted by coaches Stewart Mustard, Hasan Ilter, Adam ‘Woolfy’ Woolfson and Keith Dickinson. Liam Steele will continue to focus on 7s following our successful participation in the circuit this year.
Sandi Lyall continues in her role as Head of Medical, alongside Tara Aldin and the rest of the physiotherapy team. Mark Sinclair and Kieran Noble will remain in charge of S&C, and Team Managers will be headed up by Chris Gray and Snapper Elliot.
Sean Lineen continues in his role as Head of Rugby Development, working with Neil Meikle, Director of Rugby, on the delivery of the rugby strategy both on and off the pitch.
Neil Meikle said:
“The coaching pedigree of this group is a hugely exciting proposition for both our existing players from the Blues and the Super Series, and new players joining Heriot’s to play top level rugby in Edinburgh. The opportunity to develop as a player at Goldenacre is better than ever, and we look forward to challenging for league honours across all the teams, both this season and beyond”.
We will shortly be announcing our Women’s coaching team and a high profile Women’s Director of Rugby.
If you are interested in playing for Heriot’s at any level, male or female, please get in touch with us on:
iwanttobe@heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk
Men’s pre-season begins on 2nd July, details will be posted on our social media channels and website.