Council Backs Highland RFC’s First Development Officer
The Highland Council has helped fund the appointment by Highland Rugby Club of a development officer, who will more actively grow rugby across all ages. Over the next three years, Highland RFC’s newly appointed development officer, Alan Falconer, will dedicate his time to recruiting and retaining rugby players in and around the area and work continuously to create links with schools to maximise the opportunities to play rugby, increase participation at all levels of the club game, build and strengthen the existing competitions that are in place, and help the club develop its own plans for the improvement of the game.
Alan, who will be based at Culloden Academy, said: “I’m looking forward to working at Highland RFC and taking forward their exciting plans to grow the game of rugby in the local community in Inverness. I am encouraged by the reception I’ve received from the committee coaches, players at all age levels and staff at Culloden Academy since accepting the post and coming to Inverness.”
The announcement comes as the club look to build on the fourth place finish in Scottish Hydro Electric National Division Two last season and hope that the increased investment in the grassroots of the game will bear fruit in the club’s future.
Andy Little, Chairman of Highland Rugby Club, said: “Highland are a community rugby club working hard to promote the game of rugby in Inverness and the surrounding area. We currently provide access to rugby to children from the age of five both at the club and within primary and secondary schools in the area. Running two senior teams, as well as age grade teams at S1, S2, U15, U16, U17 and U18 and a mini/micro section for primary school children involves over fifty volunteers assisting as committee members and coaches giving their time freely for the love of the game of rugby.
“Our ambition is to build on the success of the past few years and we are committed to growing the number of participants in our game. The plans we have put in place now see us driving forward changes to develop rugby in our community even further and it is our desire to remain an important member of the sporting community both in Inverness and in the wider context, assisting in growing the game of rugby in Scotland.”
Scottish Rugby applauds the collective commitment of Highland Rugby Club, Tulloch Homes, Synergie Scotland, Sportsmatch, Fujitsu Services, The Highland Council and Charleston Academy in the funding this post and Culloden Academy for providing an office and base for Alan to work from.