Ross High Rugby Club – at the heart of the community
Boasting
three adult teams and a flourishing youth section, Ross High is keeping
the long-standing tradition of rugby in Tranent going strong as well as
providing a popular watering hole for locals, with regular entertainment
and events – both sporting and social.All pupils are encouraged to take part in social functions in the clubrooms including under 18s discos and parties.
History
The game of
rugby has been played in Tranent from as far back as the 1920s but the
current club was formed in 1969 by a group of former Ross High School
pupils.
When it was
first formed, the club used a variety of local pubs and halls for its
post-match hospitality but, in September 1979, the present clubhouse at
Blawearie Road was opened. The opening of the clubhouse sparked a great
increase in interest in rugby in Tranent and on a few occasions just
after the club opened Ross High was fielding five senior teams.
Senior Success
Since then,
Ross High RFC has steadily worked its way up the leagues and the first
XV’s achievements have included gaining promotion four years in a row
from National League Division Six to Division Two. The team then took
just two more seasons to reach National League Division One. Then
finally the heights of Premiership 3 for two seasons.
The ‘Firsts’
also scooped the ERRS Whistlers Trophy in 2000/01 as well as winning a
number of seven-a-side tournaments over the years and making two
semi-final appearances in the BT Bowl competition.
The second
XV competes in the Edinburgh Seconds League and has enjoyed great
success in recent years, providing a great springboard for players to
progress to the First XV.
Ross High also regularly fields a popular Third XV – Who have now been playing in the EDINBURGH & LOTHIANS 2nd XV LEAGUE.
As well as
league commitments, Ross High regularly hosts touring sides from all
over the country and sometimes from outwith the UK.
Youth Development
The club’s
biggest asset is its extremely strong youth section. Most of the present
First XV players have come up through the youth set-up and more will
join them next season from the present Colts team.
Ross High is
committed to ensuring that all youngsters in the Tranent area have the
opportunity to experience rugby at some level and that those interested
in the game can progress.
The club has
an under 18s team (Colts), under 16s, under 14s and under 13s as well
as the Ross High Raiders – the collective name for the primary four to
seven teams, made up of boys and girls from all of the seven primary
schools in the Ross High catchment area.
With the
appointment of a Youth Development Officer, Ross High has shown its
commitment to youth rugby. YDO Mark Urwin’s appointment was the first of
its kind by a club in Scotland and his work with local primary schools
and Ross High School has already benefited the club by swelling the
ranks of the youth section with new talent.
Mark’s role
includeded regular weekly practice sessions of non-contact New Image or
TAG rugby at each of the seven local primary schools, backed up by a fun
rugby festival for each age group throughout the academic year.
Mark has
since taken on the role of School Sport and Physical Activity
Co-ordinator at Ross High School, encouraging every pupil to improve
their health and fitness by taking part in a range of sports including
rugby, hockey, basketball, football, badminton, volleyball, athletics
and even pilates and street dance.
Senior
pupils are also encouraged to take part in coaching courses run by East
Lothian Council’s Sports Development Officers. The pupils gain
invaluable skills and work experience by coaching junior school teams.
In August
2007, the Ross High Rugby Football Club in partnership with Machinery
Bindery & the Scottish Rugby Union created a new post; Club
Community Development Officer. Gordon Galashan was appointed to the
role. His remit includes overseeing both the curricular and extra
curricular at all nine feeder primary schools. As well as rebuilding
the Sunday Ross High Raiders at the rugby club.
At Ross High
Rugby Club, parents are also encouraged to get involved, with
opportunities ranging from coaching, supervising, team management, first
aid, administration and many more. Coach education is provided by the
Club Community Development Officer and the Scottish Rugby Union.
Facilities
For the players, both senior and junior, the club’s facilities include new changing rooms and showers and a dedicated fitness suite which includes machine weights andfree weights. Regular physiotherapy advice and treatments are also available.
Ross High also boasts a large function suite available for hire to members. It can comfortably stage events for up to120 people and has its own PA system, disco lights and music system. We also have an Event Management Team whose members are on hand to offer advice on various issues such as the hire of discos and bands, catering and any other requirement you may have to make your event as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
At the weekends we run an exciting programme of social events including discos, live bands, quiz nights, cheese and wine evenings, casino nights and race nights. We also show live televised sporting events such as the Six Nations Championship, Formula 1, golf, horse racing and many more.
As well as evening entertainment and televised sport, the club also hosts a number of larger-scale events including sevens tournaments, summer barbecues, beach trips, and rugby tours – both senior and junior.
Other Sports
As well as the core rugby activities, Ross High members have also formed a vibrant and friendly golf section, which holds regular competitions staged on some of the best of East Lothian’s courses.
Also, the Ross High Ladies’ Hockey Club is based at the Blawearie Road clubhouse. They play and practice on a weekly basis on the artificial pitch situated in the Ross High Playing Fields and are always ready to welcome new members.
The club also runs a Pool team and a Darts team. Both of which compete at a local level
So – whether yourself or your children would like to start playing rugby or you would like to support your local team on match days, get involved in another sport or just have somewhere friendly and welcoming to socialise – make Ross High Rugby Club your first stop for fun, friendship – and rugby!