Corstorphine Cougars RFC
UPDATE - 12th January 2023:
Firstly, Friends of Scottish Rugby's investment into our training pitch continues to be a success as it was playable all last winter (except for frost). The drainage system
improves over time so we are very positive over the benefit it’s given.
This has helped our continued growth and we now:
- field 4 senior teams (2 male and 2 female) with up to 50 training twice a week
- have 60 minis and over 50 Youth rugby players training every week
- Old Boy’s Touch rugby for ex-players aged 40-65 to get some exercise and fun
We are growing dramatically but the facilities are struggling to cope.
We have developed an extensive strategy to support our long term vision which by necessity has been broken down into separate phases. Our next stage is
therefore the clubhouse improvements required to support our development. This includes the provision of 4 separate male & female changing rooms to
support Saturday games, male and female Referee facilities, strength and conditioning area and improved medical provision in line with the SRU’s
strategy.
UPDATE - 7th May 2021: The Pitch Draining project was completed on March 20th 2021.
Corstorphine Cougars RFC is a community rugby club which has been in existence for 100 years based at varying locations in the north west of Edinburgh. In May 2017, and in difficult circumstances, the club returned to its spiritual home at Union Park in the Carrick Knowe area of Corstorphine.
Since then the club has managed to re-invigorate itself and now runs 2 men's senior xv's and a women's team. The women's team has been consistently ranked as one of the best in Scotland in recent years and has managed to play some 2nd xv matches in the most recent season. The men's teams play in the East Regional Leagues.
Starting recruitment in 2018-19 with the youngest age groups at both primary schools (P1-P4) and secondary school (S1-S3) the club now boasts over 60 mini rugby players and 70 youth members who attend the local high school (Craigmount HS). The club is also affiliated with the Edinburgh branch of the “Clan” who play “unified rugby” which enables players with and without disabilities to play and compete in the same team. The Clan train and play home matches at Union Park and use the club’s social facilities.
The rugby development described above has been considerable in a short period and player growth is anticipated to continue at pace particularly amongst the youngsters and female players. To be able to facilitate this growth the club is engaged in attracting funding and support to upgrade the changing and playing facilities. One of the first priorities is to complete a drainage project to render the floodlit training pitch fit for purpose. It is essential for it to be able to cope with the training demands from the growing numbers described above but also to be able to host matches on a regular basis. This is not currently the case following any period of sustained rain.
A recent funding award from Friends of Scottish Rugby will be significant in making this project feasible. It was helpful, not just in terms of helping bridge the funding gap, but also in providing valuable advice and demonstrating support from the rugby community for the sport in Scotland. On behalf of the Cougars I would like to thank everyone involved with the Friends of Scottish Rugby.
David Gillespie
VP (Rugby)
Corstorphine Cougars RFC
Click below for Corstorphine Cougars RFC website:
Corstorphine Cougars RFC