Melrose recognised for success and development

Melrose Rugby Club have been awarded BT Club of the Month for April for season 2016/17.The club’s 1st XV won the BT Cup final after pushing past league rivals, Ayr, at the national stadium (23-18) to avenge their BT Premiership play-off final defeat to the club from the west, having topped the league table earlier in the season. The club also hosted the historic Melrose Sevens in the month of April where their 7s squad overcame an impressive Co-optimists side and narrowly lost out to Harlequins in the final, with the event once again showcasing the best of Scottish club talent.The 1st XV then went on to win the Border League, the oldest established rugby union league in the world, having been formed in 1901.Melrose’s development plan currently involves work on a World Rugby standard synthetic pitch at The Greenyards and a long-term plan for a brand new facility. The club’s 1883 Legacy Project has already raised the profile of the Home of Sevens across the world, and will seek to bring a sustainable and diversified income stream to the club and beyond the Scottish Borders community.On the back of the Legacy Project, and in conjunction with Edinburgh College, Melrose have recently launched a MAD (Melrose Athlete Development) initiative.The course provides weekly delivery of body movement literacy, lifestyle advice and strength & conditioning to young athletes across a range of sports. This is in addition to the club’s already successful Melrose Rugby Academy and Melrose / Earlston School of Rugby.Melrose President, Trevor Jackson, said: “Melrose Rugby is very proud to have been awarded BT Club of the Month for April.I see it as a tribute to all the players, coaches, backroom staff, sponsors and volunteers who work so hard throughout the season to make the club a success on and off the pitch.”We’re heading into exciting times, using the legacy of the sevens to honour the heritage and deliver a great new facility for the Scottish Borders community.”Elsewhere, the club’s 2nd XV, Melrose Storm, recorded an unbeaten season to top BT National Reserve League 1, while Melrose / Earlston High School Wasps won the Border Town v Town Conference with the U16 squad lifting the Schools’ U16 Plate.The club’s youth section has continued to grow as well as succeed in competitions, with player numbers increasing from 270 to 330 this season, as a result of combined work with eight local primary schools and Earlston High School.Melrose was also selected as one of 20 Scottish Rugby Tartan Touch clubs and they have recently kicked-off their hub with an aim to engage further with the local community, while also hosting a taster evening for Ladies’ rugby.The club are also continuing to develop their online presence to help promote the club game in Scotland to other audiences through the use of innovative digital media.Melrose are also growing the use of their premises to support the club and engage local community groups, with the match-day experience at The Greenyards now boasting pop-up food and drinks suppliers, entertainment and a family friendly atmosphere in addition to their well-established club lunches.In winning the award, Melrose will receive a prize to the value of£1000, through a 12-month BT Sport subscription and£200 cash. They will also win a table for 10 at the Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner, http://www.scottishrugby.org/tickets-events/annual-scottish-rugby-club-awards-dinner and will be subsidised£500 for travel expenses to this event. Melrose will also be on the shortlist for the BT Club of the Year award, to be announced at the dinner.