I’d like to thank after dinner speakers (and Tavish) for coming and everyone else for supporting the event – which we would like to be an annual occasion.
Progression – Development Officer
Shetland RFC now employ a dedicated Development Officer (Daniel Meadows), first sport specific development officer ever in Shetland. Tesco’s loss in fruit & veg is the Club’s gain!
Big PR push with Richie Gray in attendance and Daniel appearing on Radio Scotland, BBC ALBA and Sports Nation on BBC2. Lot of National as well as Local press.
Thanks to Sponsors of Dev Officer Shetland Aerogenerators, E&H Building Contractors, LEADER SportsMatch SRU and SIC without their support the D O post would not exist.
Midsummer Rugby 7’s
12 teams, over 100 players – one of the biggest ever. Won by Banchory!!!!! No local team in final!!! Thanks to Sponsors (BP/Sullom Voe)
Season 2011/12 – improvements on last year
Used 47 players to fulfil fixtures – shows the depth of squad and should mean we can have 15 v 15 games in summer (Presidents Cup?) 14 games (12 in league and 2 in Cup).
Scored 436 points this season (126 last year – with same number of games!) averaging 31 points a game. We scored in every game we played – last yr failed to score in 6 matches
Conceded 175 points this season (494 last year!) – including 3 shut outs and 50% of points conceded in 2 away games Aberdeen Uni [48] and Deeside [38] We can all clearly see that Bryan’s secret hobby is compiling stats!
After our first 9 games we had conceded only 54 points – the best in record in any league in Scotland.
The players scored 67 tries scored this year (11 last year)
10 players made debuts in the year – let’s hope they carry on.
3 “old dogs” made impressive comebacks – Lindsay, Geddes and Skinner. No reason some of the other old guys couldn’t still be playing (even just in internal games) or training.
The club owes huge Thanks to Mike Bradley and Emily Tait for their help and support at training and on game days.
Thanks to sponsors Northwards and Northlink
Now, before we come to our guest speakers, we have a few Club Awards to give out - presented with Tavish Scott
o Most Improved – Robbie Skinley – made debut and has played 6 games this year. Massive improvements on technique and fitness. He even stepped up to play for Dyce when they were short and was probably one of their best players!!!!
o Clubman – Matthew Nicolson
o Most Dedicated – Kristian Fraser – despite being injured he has been to every training session and has taken several sessions.
o Top Try Scorer – Maurice Williamson (12) – 2nd place Nathan Coote (11); 3rd place Paul Grant (8). 20 players scored at least 1 try.
o Top Points Scorer – Paul Grant (127) – included 8 tries, 39 conversions and 3 penalties. 21 players scored at least 5 points.
o Player of the Year – John Roy Nicolson - He has had the most Man of the Match Awards, has played in most games (except for the Capt.) and has been very consistent despite his age.
o other “fun” awards for ‘Best Baker’ - Kristian Fraser and ‘Dick of the Season’ – Craig Mann for most cards in the season!!!!
Thanks to all the people who volunteer and give up their time for the Club.
So now, onto the main events, but before I hand you over to Jim Mason, an ex-member of this club(short intro) and Peter Wright for the speeches, here’s a wee bit background for you …
Jim was in Shetland working for Radio Shetland and slipped into the Shetland Rugby Club culture with the greatest of ease, being no stranger to strong drink! Jim was never big on training, but was always on hand to take the scoring pass after all the hard work had been done! To be honest, his reputation was that of a bit of a glory hunter, if truth be told …. Letting all the forwards do all the grunt work while he stood at the back with a hangover, combing his hair like a girly back before swooping in to score! Simple but effective!
But we also have a Scottish rugby legend with us as well in Peter Wright – a man who has been a former blacksmith, and a Lasswade RFC and Boroughmuir player.
won 21 caps at prop for Scotland between 1992 and 1996,
toured New Zealand with the British Lions in 1993, under Ian McGeechan and alongside such greats as the Hastings Brothers, Andy Nicol, but also beside Rob Andrew, Stuart Barnes, Will Carling, Martin Johnson, Jerry “the slime” Guscott …. and best of all, love him or hate him, folks, the Mr Grumpy of the BBC, Mr Brian Moore. I’m surprised you got back from that trip still sane!
He has proved an inspiration as coach of Murrayfield Wanderers and then Glasgow Hawks. played for the Barbarians.
He has had a successful career as a coach at Club, District, professional team and Scotland U19 and U20 levels. He is currently Director of Rugby with Glasgow Hawks and is a rugby commentator for BBC Radio Scotland. So, without further ado ….. please welcome Jim Mason and Peter Wright