Forrester RFC

Rugby team
teamname = Forrester


imagesize = 250px
union = Scottish Rugby Union
fullname = Forrester Rugby Football Club
location = Edinburgh, Scotland
country

founded = 1964
ground = [http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=55.93209~-3.291038&style=h&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&sp=Point.t9nth7gqs55m_Forrester%20RFC%20Clubhouse___&encType=1 Broomhouse]
url = www.forrester-rfc.com
league = National League Division 2
season = 2006–07
position = 2nd in Div 3

Forrester RFC is a rugby union football club in the Scottish Rugby Union, located at Broomhouse Road in Edinburgh and play in the Scottish Hydro Electric National League Division Two.

History

Forrester Former Pupils Rugby Football Club and Sports Association was founded in 1964, by a number of ex-pupils of Forrester High School and members of the local community.

There followed 10 years of team and spirit building, normally in the confines of the Dorlin Hotel, St. John's Road, Edinburgh. The Club participated in the [Edinburgh and District League] and found success in a number of Sevens tournaments including the now defunct Edinburgh and District trophy, in 1976.

The Clubhouse, situated in the grounds of Forrester High School, was opened in September 1977. In 1987 the existing structure was extended to include changing rooms and showers in addition to other facilities, not least of which was the addition of a small bar.

Having been pipped at the post for three successive years, the Club finally won the [Edinburgh District League] in 1986 gaining promotion to Division 6 of the National League in 1990. After reorganisation they found themselves in the BT Division 5 (East) Regional League at the start of season 1999/2000. They finished runners up to Irvine that year but, finally, won promotion to BT Division 4 by beating Hawick YM 13 - 12 in the final game of season 2000/2001.

The Committee were instrumental in setting up the River Series Cup (later the Alloa Series Trophy) in association with Boroughmuir RFC, which for ten years provided Cup competition in Scotland, and provided the springboard for the SRU Tennents cup competition and ultimately the BT Cellnet Cup. It was perhaps fitting that in the last year of this competition, the Castlemaine XXXX cup was won by Forrester in the gala event.

The Club now stands at a cross-roads, with a massive Youth development programme and ambitious plans for the development of facilities to nurture the talent and enhance the playing standards throughout the area. Although never a "closed" Club, "Former pupils" was dropped from the Club title at the end of season 2000/2001.

Yearbook 08/09

Forrester Rugby Club are currently playing in National League Division 2.

We recently moved to a new clubhouse which is approx 200 yards from the original one. The move was due to the redevelopment of Forrester and St Augustines High Schools. We look forward to entertaining our opponents at our brand new premises this season.

At present, we run three senior teams and are confident of increasing that to four this season, due to our very successful youth development system which has given us 13 players for 2008/09.

In September this year, we are entering a team of over 35’s in the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival being held at Murrayfield. (Our oldest participant will be Dunkan Armstrong).

Our coaches for this season are Dougie Dingwall (forwards coach) formerly of Currie RFC and Andy Knight (backs coach) formerly of Boroughmuir RFC. As this is Andy’s first season with us, we all look forward to the new ideas and techniques he will bring to the club, which will boost Dougies current training regime.

Over the last few seasons Forrester 1st XV have been promoted twice in three years and finished one place off promotion last season. Forrester 2nd XV have won their respective league three times in the last four seasons (Div 4 E&S National 2nd XV League twice and Edinburgh & District once). Forrester 3rd XV have just joined Div 5 E&S of the National 2nd XV Leagues.

At youth level we have our own Community Development Coach Bill Smith who along with Richard Fleming, the Community Development Officer, visit primary and secondary schools in the area taking after-school training sessions and organising matches. This initiative is part funded by React-to-Rugby.

From our youth ranks we currently have a number of players involved in the Pathways squads. Many of those players have also been invited to the SRU national training camp at Struan.

Every year for the past 29 years, Forrester Rugby Club have sent a team to Northern Ireland to compete in the Carrickfergus 7’s Tournament which is now the top tournament of its kind in the Ulster Region. During our weekend trip we also play a Carrickfergus Select XV for the Jimmy Robertson Memorial Trophy in memory of a former Forrester club member. In 2009, our 30th anniversary is greatly anticipated.

Forrester Rugby Club has the potential to rise up through the leagues over the next decade and with the dedication from our coaches, players and management teams this is an obtainable goal.

As a constantly improving club we are always on the look out for new recruits. We cater for rugby players of all levels, from first XV hopefuls to social players. In our youth set up there is always an opportunity for potential coaches of the future to help us.

Come along, you might just enjoy yourself enough to stay.

External links

* [http://www.forrester-rfc.com official website]
* [http://www.forrester-rfc.co.uk/default.aspx unofficial community web site for the 2nds/3rds] , which has more gossip