Campbell’s eager to nurture future stars New Colts coach wants his U18s to move up the ladder
New Perthshire Colts head coach Campbell Watson is determined to help produce stars of the future.
The 45-year-old has taken over the reins of the club’s under-18 team for the coming season and it’s an opportunity he is massively excited about.
Campbell, from Burrelton, would love to see talented players impress for the Colts and then move on to shine for the men’s first team.
He has previous experience of coaching and has been involved with Perthshire Rugby Club for more than three decades.
“I’ve had a year out to try and rejuvenate myself and have been shadowing the regional training camps throughout the country,” Campbell said.
“And I have also done my coach educator to get more of an understanding of what it takes to get the guys to elite performance players.
“I’m really excited about getting back into it and expanding the players’ games as well.
“One of the big concentrations this year was player retention for the seniors. Players drift away to university and from there we struggle as a club to get them back.
Colts head coach Campbell Watson “Many do come back in their late this season. We want to keep them twenties, mid thirties when they are interested in Perth and create a club settling down and getting married culture that they want to be involved back in Perth. with.”
“So it’s all about keeping them in Campbell believes there is plenty the area and keeping the interest up. of talent bubbling under the surface
“We’ve had about four or five over at the North Inch. the last couple of seasons who have “At the moment we have five in the moved up [to the seniors]. under-18 Caledonia regional squad
“That is the main focus for us and have nine or 10 in the under-16 training camps,” he said.
“There is a lot of talent coming through Perth at the moment.
“It’s difficult to tell how we will do at this stage but I’ve got a few under16s coming up for their first year with the Colts.
“They are unknown quantities but I’m hearing good reports on the players.”
Making the transition into coaching was an easy one for Campbell, who played for Shire from under-14 level and still turns out for the over 35s.
“I started with Perthshire and this will be by 31st year,” Campbell explained.
“I’ve coached Perthshire women’s team, the seniors second 15 and also the second year Colts. I’m ready to go again.
“It was quite easy for me to get into the coaching. Even when I played, part of our duties were to come down on a Sunday and coach the minis.
“I knew then that it was something I wanted to get into. I was hoping that I would make a better coach than I did a player.
“We’re 150 years old this year and there are so many events lined-up for it. Everyone is involved with the various different things.
“Perthshire was renowned for a really good club atmosphere and we are really getting back to that now.”