Coaching duo put in charge at Shire
Clark and Coupar to chart return to national league
Perthshire Rugby Club coaches Alan Clark and Mark Coupar have been placed in charge of the first team squad.
The move comes after Rory McKay stepped down from the position at the end of last season.
Shire were relegated from national league rugby but, already, there is a strong desire to bounce straight back up.
Clark, who has been at the club for four years and played international rugby for Hong Kong, is optimistic about what the future holds.
“First and foremost I’d like to thank Rory McKay for all the work he’s done with the squad over the past three years,” he told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the players and I have benefited from his expertise and experience in the game.
“That being said Mark and I are hugely excited about stepping up into our roles.
“Perthshire is a huge club with a proud history and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“A few weeks ago, I met with the playing group to outline the expectations of us as a senior section.
“The plan is definitely to bounce straight back up to National League rugby but we know there are some tough places to go next year and some good teams in Caledonia.
“We also know we’ll have the chance to rekindle some old friendships and rivalries with the likes of Glenrothes and Dunfermline.”
New faces are set to bolster the squad for the upcoming season - and players are already hitting the gym ahead of an end of summer start-up.
Clark, a lecturer and project officer at Abertay University, said: “The squad for next season is shaping up well.
“In the second part of last season, we took the opportunity to give a number of younger players the chance to step up and they will undoubtedly have gained some experience.
“In addition, we have a few new faces who have moved into the area to provide some much needed competition in key positions.
“The squad are currently taking a break from rugby but are training hard in the gym under Dan Scott and Craig Williamson so I’m expecting we’ll be ready for the start of the season.
“There’s no doubt that last season was disappointing but as a squad we’ve drawn a line under it.”
During his time with the club, Clark has witnessed how special the set-up is at the North Inch. That can only bode well for the future, he believes.
“I often take abuse for the number of clubs I played at from the boys, but Perthshire is one that has welcomed me from the word go,” Clark explained.
“Anybody who turns up is made to feel incredibly welcome, be it player, coach, parent or spectator.
“Over its history Perthshire has produced international players and British Lions.
Alan Clark (front left) and Mark Coupar (back centre) take over from Rory McKay (front right)
“And I have no doubt, given the youth setup and ethos of the club, there are some currently playing mini or youth rugby for us who will do so in the future.
“The senior club needs to represent both the history and the future so we need to recognise that and be proud of it.
“The fact that both are so strong makes the club a very special place indeed.
“I’m very lucky to have guys like this season’s captain, Adam Pattinson, who recognise that and help make the environment what it is.”
Shire’s official pre-season starts on July 4 at 6.30pm on the North Inch and the rallying call is being sent out by Perth coaches.
Clark added: “Anybody keen to come down is more than welcome, regardless of fitness level, ability of time since they last played.
“There’s definitely a hunger within the squad to make this year special, especially since it’s our 150th as a club.”