Craig Docherty, Edinburgh Rugby’s new Chief Executive, on Thursday joined the entire playing squad and more than 150 youngsters for a fun-filled climax to the Edinburgh Rugby Camp on the Murrayfield back pitches.
Docherty, whose appointment was confirmed four days ago, dusted down his passing skills, honed in the Scottish club game with Glasgow High, Stewart’s Melville and Murrayfield Wanderers, as the camp attendees completed a series of skill stations and training drills run by the Edinburgh players.
Docherty hailed the camp as an example of the accessibility he intends to maintain with the club. He said: “One of the key planks in my plans is engaging the community in Edinburgh and beyond. It was fantastic to see so many children out there having fun, developing their skills and getting to know our players. There’s a lot of competition for the kids’ attention these days, and the message we want to give out is that it’s a fantastic sport, and a fantastic club, to be involved in.”
Many of the children who attended the camp are members of the Edinburgh Crew, the under-18 supporters’ club. Fans of all ages can be part of the Edinburgh experience in the coming campaign, with any number of great value season ticket options available to supporters old and new.
For just £30, under-18s can watch all 11 home Magners League matches, including the games against the glitzy new Italian sides Aironi and Benetton Treviso, the three Heineken Cup pool ties against Northampton Saints, Castres and Cardiff Blues, and the away leg of the 1872 Cup derby clash with Glasgow Warriors. The cost for senior citizens and students is £90, while adults can book in for as little as £180.
All Edinburgh’s pre-Christmas home games in the Magners League will kick off at 7.05pm on a Friday night, a development Docherty believes will allow supporters to build their weekend round the fixture. “There’s a real opportunity for people to make it a real Edinburgh rugby weekend. For some time we’ve been keen to secure a consistent slot that doesn’t clash with the other commitments our supporters have, so to have that certainty going into the new season is great news for everyone.”
The Friday night Murrayfield fun begins with the visit of London Irish for a tantalising pre-season friendly on 27 August (kick-off 7.30pm). With tickets priced just £10 for adults and £5 for under-18s and concessions, Docherty has called on the black and red army to kick-start the season in style.
He said: “From the fans’ point of view, the London Irish game is the ideal opportunity to give our boys a fitting send-off ahead of the Magners League opener in Cardiff the following week. It’s also a chance to see a team who are full of recognisable faces and who are known to play attractive, expansive rugby. It should all make for a great spectacle, and I’d encourage as many people as possible to make sure they’re part of it.”
YOUR CITY, YOUR TEAM, YOUR FRIDAY NIGHT. Join Edinburgh's heroes as they take on the cream of European rugby in the Magners League and Heineken Cup. All our home pre-Christmas Magners League games are on a Friday night at 7.05pm. To secure your season tickets, including the fantastic Edinburgh Crew deal (which allows an adult and child to see all the Murrayfield action for just £200), CLICK HERE or call 0131 346 5180. Tickets for the London Irish friendly at Murrayfield on Friday 27 August (kick-off 7.30pm) are available from the same sources, priced £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and under-18s.
