Chrystie to coach next generation
Scottish Rugby can today confirm that FOSROC Super6 Head Coach Rob Chrystie has been appointed as the Edinburgh Rugby Academy coach.
Chrystie will leave his current position as Head Coach of the Southern Knights at the end of the month to take up his new role at Edinburgh Rugby from the start of December.
In his new appointment he will have overall responsibility in developing the 15 FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy players who are aligned to Edinburgh Rugby, helping to shape them as rugby players and prepare them for the highest levels of rugby.
Chrystie has served as Head Coach to the Southern Knights since the inception of the team in the part-time professional FOSROC Super6 league in 2019.
He has been influential in bringing together some of the best players in the Borders who want to move forward with their rugby. His Southern Knights squad were the most consistent team in the 2021 FOSROC Super6 recording only two losses before their defeat in the final to Ayrshire Bulls.
As a player, the former scrum-half played for his native Hawick, Melrose, Bath, Coventry, the Border Reivers as well as Scotland A.
Chrystie’s coaching career started at Melrose nine years ago as an assistant to Craig Chalmers and John Dalziel before taking over the Head Coaching role.
Alongside his role at Melrose, he was Head Coach of the Scotland Club XV for two seasons, this season he supported Scotland U20 in their preparations for their Six Nations campaign as the squad’s skills coach.
“I’m delighted to be taking up the Academy coaching position at Edinburgh Rugby. To have the opportunity to help shape and develop young players who are keen to learn their trade is something I’m passionate about.
Rob Chrystie
“This has not been an easy decision to leave The Greenyards as I’ve loved my time with both Melrose Rugby and Southern Knights. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mike Dalgetty who has helped me endlessly and all the supporters for their amazing backing over these last nine years.
“I feel privileged to have worked with a great group of players during my time at Melrose and Southern Knights and I can’t thank them enough for all their time and effort.
“Opportunities like this only come around occasionally and I feel that for both my career and my family this is the right move at this stage in my coaching journey.”
Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Mike Blair said: “Rob [Chrystie] is a fantastic coach with a great track record of developing and nurturing young Scottish players. He’ll be a welcome addition to our coaching group and adds another dynamic to what is an already talented off-field team.
“Rob’s experience with Melrose, Southern Knights and several Scotland age-grade sides will be invaluable as he works with the next generation of Edinburgh Rugby players.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming to Rob to the club and I’m sure he’ll hit the ground running once in post.”
Southern Knights Chairman Dominic Taddei said: “We have real mixed feelings that our Head Coach is to join Edinburgh Rugby. On the one hand we are delighted that Rob’s fantastic coaching talent is being recognised and he will be able to further his career within Scottish Rugby, which is exactly what the FOSROC Super6 is aiming to achieve for both players and performance coaching staff.
“At the same time, we are disappointed to be losing such a great coach. We are extremely grateful for everything Rob has done for both Southern Knights and Melrose Rugby over the last nine years and wish him the very best for the next stage in his coaching career.
Taddei added “We will now begin the process of seeking Rob’s successor and look forward to identifying the best coach to build upon the strong foundations laid by him.”
Applications for the role of Southern Knights Head Coach are now being taken, those interested in the role can find out more HERE.
An announcement on the Glasgow Warriors Academy Coach will be made in due course.
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