Sunday 28 August 2011

Ayr Rugby Academy Launched

Ayr Rugby Club is delighted to announce the launch of its Rugby Academy. The club recognises its status within rugby as well as having a hugely successful and busy youth section. The establishing of a Rugby Academy is the next step in the continued growth of the club and enhances the development of individual players and teams from U14s right up to adult players.

The academy will mirror the work of the current SRU system and focus on six main strands in developing the players; technical, tactical, mental, physical, nutrition and team functioning.

A management board will supervise the  work of the academy comprising; the club President, Director of Rugby, Youth Convenor and 1st XV coaches. The Ayr Rugby Academy will be led by its Head Coach, Colin White (pictured below) who is a qualified PE teacher and former professional rugby player with Glasgow Warriors and in Italy. Colin has played age grade rugby for Scotland at U18, U19 and U21 levels as well as a couple of seasons for Scotland Sevens in the IRB World series events.



The club has plans to refurbish and develop the facilities at Millbrae which will support the work of the Academy.

A range of players have been nominated and selected to join and are now completing their applications. More details later.

"This is an important development for the club," says President Billy McHarg. " We see this as a logical step for our club and for future academy provision in Scotland. The club invests heavily in rugby across all ages and we recognise the need to offer as much as we can to our players. Colin is an ideal appointment given his experiences and qualifications."

Players will benefit from flexible, individual programmes including important, relevant strength and conditioning advice. It is expected that between 25-35 players will take up the offer of a place with the youngest players aged 13 years and the oldest likely to be playing in the 1st XV at 22.

Whilst the work of the new Ayr Rugby Academy is just beginning there will be an official launch shortly when the first group of players is confirmed. Watch this space.

Friday 26 August 2011

Climo Wins Ranfurly Shield with Taranaki

Frazier Climo starred in Taranaki's win over Southland on Wednesday night to claim the Ranfurly Shield. So important is the win in the province that everyone is pitching in to have the stadium ready for an expected crowd of 20,000 to see Taranaki defend the Shield against Hawkes Bay this Sunday.

Go here for news article on the win and watch the video - see if you can spot Crackles!

Thursday 25 August 2011

MacArthur, Hogg and Reid in Warriors Team for Sale

Pat MacArthur and Stuart Hogg start for Warriors tomorrow night against Sale while Gordon Reid is on the bench. Ayr favourite MacArthur takes the hooker spot whilst our latest recruit Stuart Hogg is at full back following his excellent performance against Newcastle. Gordy provides prop cover and is released for the weekend to Ayr for the opening RBS Premier 1 clash at Millbrae with Edinburgh Accies.

Sunday 21 August 2011

Bennett Plays for Clermont Auvergne Against Llanelli

Mark starred for ASM Clermont Auvergne in their victory over Llanelli, coming off the bench and making a big impact on the game.

Mark pictured here playing against Brive last week.

















Having just arrived at the French side's academy he is clearly making a good impression already with this outing for the top team alongside the likes of Floch, Vermeulen, Brock James and Jason White.

Well done Mark keep up the good work.

Go here for match report.

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Ayr Welcomes Draft Pro Players

Ayr RFC is delighted to welcome the following Warriors players to the club following the recent pro player draft:

The first two need no introduction:

Gordon Reid                                                                       Pat McArthur

Nor these two:

Ed Kalman                                                                           Ryan Wilson

Ryan Grant                                                                          

Michael Cusack

Federico Aramburu
  



Gordy Reid Arrives As Glasgow Warrior

It's finally happened, despite a year's ribbing from the Ayr boys last season when Gordon Reid was on a training contract, last night he turned up at Millbrae as a fully fledged Glasgow Warrior.




Of course we still get him in the pro player draft!

Thursday 4 August 2011

Robbie Fergusson for Scotland

Ayr's teenage star Robbie Fergusson has been selected for Scotland's 12 man squad for the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held on the Isle of Man between the 6th and 13th September 2011.

Monday 1 August 2011

Stuart Hogg Joins Ayr

Hawick and Scotland Under 20s start Stuart Hogg has joined Ayr for the forthcoming season.

Picture courtesy of Scottish Rugby


Stuart is looking for a more permanent move to Glasgow as an Elite Development Player with the Warriors hence the move from Hawick, which has been responsible for developing one of the finest talents in Scottish Rugby. He has been an integral part of the Scotland Under 20s programme during the 2011 Six Nations and U20s World Cup tournaments as well as having appeared for the Warriors in the Magners League. Hogg is an exciting talent and will be a great addition to our squad for the Premier 1 and British and Irish Cup competitions, of course he may also be a regular starter with Glasgow Warriors.