President's Welcome

We did exceptionally well last season to win the Premier 2 Championship - congratulations must go to the hard working 1st XV Squad and to our Head Coach, Simon Cross, and the rest of our coaching team. Going up to Premier 1 is another step up for the players and coaches, but I’m sure you’ll agree this is where Edinburgh Accies should be, and we wish them well for the season.

This season the league format remains the same, which means our goal is to be in the top eight after 11 games which guarantees our place in Premier 1 for 2012-13. There will be no easy games and, unlike last season, we do not have any ‘easy’ lead-in games. We hope to maintain the good momentum built up by our junior teams last season so that we can continue to put out a competitive 2nd XV, 3rd XV, U20 XV and of course an occasional Classics XV!

We are delighted to have Hamilton & Inches as our new Main Sponsor. Thanks go to Steve Paterson and his team for their steadfast support and their faith in the Club. There will be special promotional events throughout the season at their lovely George Street shop to which all members and friends will be invited – details will be posted on our website. And if any members, friends or family need a present they now know where to go!

Our Community Amateur Sports Club, Edinburgh BATs Rugby, had another good season with the U18 team performing well, and will continue its good work of introducing more children to the great game of rugby. We thank John Wright, Andrew Walker, Iain Bethinussen and their band of helpers for the power of work they put in to make BATs work so well. Also, thanks go to Kevin Troup and his team of helpers for running the thriving Accies Minis who play and train on Sunday mornings at Raeburn Place during the season.

Again, we ask for much needed support from all our members and their guests/friends. Rugby in the top flight is an expensive business so any fundraising or sponsorship you can provide is much appreciated. We are also short of volunteers – for match days and various jobs ‘behind the scenes’ – involving only a Saturday now and then or a few hours a week. If you can help, please contact me or Jason Parrott (tel +44 (0)7799 484 863 or email sponsorship@edinburghaccies.com), our hard working fundraiser.

A warm welcome and thank you to all our guests and sponsors for supporting the game today. I hope we see an entertaining match and also enjoy good company in the clubhouse at Raeburn Place - the cradle of rugby football in Scotland.

Euan Macfie
President, EAFC