Heriot’s President Iain Duckworth on first months in new role

New Heriot’s Rugby Club President Iain ‘Ducky’ Duckworth has stepped into the role taking the challenges of the turbulent 2020 season head on.

He comes to the role after a year as Heriot’s Rugby Club Vice President, being voted into the top job at the club Annual General Meeting held online on 27 August.

Managing the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic on the club, including a postponed 2020 season, has not taken away from Ducky wanting to achieve other goals for the club.

Welcoming a greater number of former players, junior section parents and their families to the club members is a top priority.

‘‘I think our new Concession Membership, at reduced cost, is a good step to attract back members that have drifted away,’’ he said.

‘‘Rugby has always been more than just playing, it is a community of shared passions, reliving shared experiences while laying a foundation to support younger players progress and growth.’’

Since becoming a member of the Board in 2018, Ducky has seen the club continue to expand, with the semi-professional Heriot’s Rugby Super6 team and Blues Women now calling Goldenacre home.

In that time, stronger ties have also been built with Stewart’s Melville RFC, including the creation of the youth team, North Edinburgh Vikings and development team, the Ferry Road Wanderers.

Having first joined the club as a player in 1977, Ducky has many fond Goldenacre memories, which he hopes to add to during his tenure as Heriot’s Rugby Club President.

‘‘In the 1977/79 season I started in Heriot’s 5th XV and by the end of the season was playing for Heriot’s 1st VX on the border circuit,’’ he said.

‘‘In 1978/79 I was scrum half when we won the league for the first time, breaking the Hawick stranglehold, playing alongside Andy Irvine, Bill Gammell, Fraser Dall and Iain Milne – a memorable experience.

‘‘I was 1st XV Team Manager, with Douglas Livingstone, in 2003 when we won the Scottish Cup for the first time beating Watsonian FC in a tense final at Murrayfield, having also served time on the committee.’’

The post Heriot’s President Iain Duckworth on first months in new role appeared first on Heriots Rugby Club.