Season hopes high
Blue and Golds aim to get off to a flying start
Crieff and Strathearn RFC are hoping to hit the ground running when the new league season kicks off next month.
The newly-promoted Blue and Golds will compete in Caledonian Midlands League Division Two in the 2016/17 campaign after sealing the title on the last day of the previous season with a win against Falkirk.
And, with pre- season for the Braidhaugh men already under way, hopes are high that the local lads can acquit themselves well against potentially stronger opposition than was faced last year.
Coach Cammy Kennedy will be aided off the park by first team manager George Davis and on the field by skipper Stuart Guntley.
Garry Couser, who was voted in as the club’s new president at the recent AGM, admits excitement is building ahead of what promises to be an eventful few months.
He told the Herald: “We’ve got a very young first team at the moment and it will be a very hard season for them playing in a higher league against better teams.
“I think almost all of the games will be against clubs’ first XV’s this year – last year we played against a few teams’ second strings – so there will be some tough games ahead. But the boys will be well-drilled. It’s a young team, but they like to play fast-flowing rugby and are a committed bunch and will give anyone a game.”
A pre- season friendly has been planned for August 13 prior to the club competing at the annual Blairgowrie RFC 10-a-side tournament on August 20. The league action itself starts on August 27 against Morgan Academy.
Garry added: “We’ve not set any targets as such [ in terms of a league finish], but we’re just wanting them to try to establish themselves and take it from there. Beating Falkirk towards the end of last season will stand them in good stead – we’ve got a great group of good young men and I think everyone’s excited about what’s to come.”
Garry continued by explaining one of his key aims was to swell the club’s youth ranks, in an attempt to build on the success of the club’s U18, U16, Microbes and Minis sections in recent years. A particular focus will be given to the S1 and S2 age group.
He added: “One of the main thrusts is to drive the youth section of the club and engage more with schools and parents to get more people down to the club – not just on the playing side, we want people to feel they can come down and enjoy the atmosphere.”
New players are welcome to attend any of the club’s training sessions.
For more details see www. crieffandstrathearnrfc.co.uk, search on Facebook or call Garry on 07778 271223.