County hunt for coach
Young steps down after four years at helm
Stirling County are on the hunt for a new head coach after Graeme Young stepped down.
Graeme, a former player and past coach of County’s Under- 18s and 2nd XV teams, has been with the Bridgehaugh club’s 1st XV for the past six years, and in charge for the last four seasons as head coach.
He said: “I am stepping down from the position of head coach primarily due to my increasing work commitments, which makes it much more challenging for me to balance my career outside rugby with the necessary time to devote such a key role at Stirling County.
“The BT Premiership has moved into an all- but ‘semi-professional’ status and the demands on players and coaches are significantly increased.”
He added: “While there is an element of sadness for me, particularly as Stirling County has been a substantial part of my life, the time is right to take a break from rugby. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading County’s 1st XV and the journey has created some fantastic memories.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in my time and its only now that I can reflect on the club’s promotion back to the top- flight at the first time of asking in 2010, followed by five continuous years in the Premiership.
“We had our highest league finishes for 17 years in consecutive seasons finishing fourth then third, leading to back-to-back British and Irish Cup campaigns when we brought the likes of Neath, Bedford and Munster to Bridgehaugh.
“At County we have consistently produced age-grade and Under-20 Scotland internationalists, and elite development players, many of who have gone on to become professionals with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby, and capped for Scotland – this is immensely satisfying.
“I intend to return to Bridgehaugh in due course to help coach the club’s talented junior teams. In the meantime, I will be on the sidelines as an ardent supporter of County, and I wish all at the club the very best for the future.”
Club president Kevin Robertson said: “Graeme has been an immensely influential, accomplished and successful head coach in his time at Bridgehaugh, bringing in fresh training initiatives and meticulous planning and analysis to his pre-match preparations, thereby giving Stirling County a ‘professional edge’.
“Graeme’s legacy extends beyond County’s recent achievements in the BT Premiership and British and Irish Cup; he has been instrumental in developing many young players to realise their full potential, play for County’s 1st XV and go on to representative, professional and international rugby.
“We are all extremely grateful to Graeme for his unstinting dedication, effort and commitment to our club, and we recognise and appreciate that he has put in place a solid foundation on which we can build further success for County in the years to come. We wish Graeme well in the future.”
County have began the recruitment process for a replacement head coach, with the intention to appointment to the post ahead of pre-season.