WhAT IS HAPPENINg WITH MIDI RUGBY AT RAEBURN PLACE?

From the 2025/26 season, Edinburgh Accies will run Midi club rugby at Raeburn Place with any S1-S6 team playing as Edinburgh Accies. Midi club rugby will be managed by a voluntary management group reporting into the Edinburgh Accies board - in the same way as Accies Minis. The on-field aspects of Midi club rugby are not expected to change significantly albeit the reasoning behind this move is to ensure we can grow the club leveraging Accies brand, club infrastructure and ultimately replicate the success we have seen with Accies Mini rugby.

Who are on the management group?

The management group is an extension of the voluntary sub-group who run Accies Minis and our key Midi reps will be Ed Stott (who has taken the role as Head of Edinburgh Accies Midis), Stuart Thyne and Hector Cook. Emma Thyne will also extend her involvement to become Edinburgh Accies Minis & Midis Administrator. We would welcome volunteers who would like to join this group.

What will the management group do?

The management group will now oversee all aspects of the club including membership, sponsorship, kit/equipment, fixtures, events and parent comms. We will also source the appropriate professional coaching to support the club from Minis through to Midis and ensure a schedule that compliments the various state and private school players we will welcome to the club.

What will coaching look like?

It will looks similar to last season with professional and consistent ‘lead’ coaches for each team and we will coaching presence planned for each team, supported by voluntary coaches from the year group. Edinburgh BATs have opted not to coach Accies Midis as this does not align with BATs current strategic priorities.

How are/have BATs been involved?

Edinburgh BATs Rugby are a separate organisation to Edinburgh Accies. BATs primary focus is on rugby development in the community and state schools and over the last 2 years have managed Midi rugby teams made up predominantly from players graduating from Accies Minis. Edinburgh Accies have supported this effort with access to clubhouse, kit procurement, preferential rates for fundraising events and representation on BATs Management Group.

This change is the result of an organic ‘blue sky’ review which started in December 2024 and included BATs and Accies officials as well as key parent representatives from current and prospective players. The process concluded that the time was right to invest in extending Edinburgh Accies Minis to start a Midis section with a provision to enhance the rugby support Edinburgh BATs provide the club from P1-S6 and significantly increase the funding Edinburgh Accies direct to BATs to support their community efforts. This proposal was not supported by BATs Trustees so BATs will not have a direct role supporting Edinburgh Accies youth or senior sections.

Edinburgh Accies will continue support, implement and fund initiatives to support our community and encourage player participation in the region and we will remain in an open dialogue with Edinburgh BATs and Scottish Rugby around how we can do so in collaboration.

HOW WILL I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SEASON?

Players will be added to Teamer for their year group and all communications will come directly from Edinburgh Accies in the same way as Minis i.e. you should expect most notices to arrive from Emma or our Heads of Midi (Ed Stott) and Mini (Stuart Paterson) rugby - as above, important to remember BATs are a separate organization with a focus on the community i.e. they may contact you for non-club community activity or support. Any questions around Accies Midis can be sent to midis@edinburghaccies.com.

What will happen with Membership?

Membership will be collected by Edinburgh Accies via our website in the same way as Minis. Please go to https://www.edinburghaccies.com/supporting/p/youth-player to join or find out more.

What will happen with Kit?

Full detail of kit provision will be announced along with membership but it will largely be similar to what has been provided in Minis albeit more suitable for Midi rugby - think playing strips, shorts and socks and some optional off-field teamwear.