Stewart’s Melville, who open their National League Division Two rugby campaign at home to Dundee on Saturday have welcomed a Canadian three-quarter trio into the Inverleith fold.
Caleb McEleney, Owen MacKinnon and Nate Barnes have joined from Oshawa Vikings, Ontario, after their coach, Paul Connolly, made contact with Stewart’s Melville earlier this year looking for a club that could host his young charges for a season in Scotland.
Rugby in Ontario is primarily played during summer meaning the players have arrived with recent competitive rugby under their belts and are ready for the Scottish season.
Oshawa Vikings play in the second tier, the Marshall Championship, of the Ontario league system and the trio’s arrival strengthens Stewart’s Melville’s growing reciprocal club network, providing players moving from abroad with a warm welcome and a support network during their time in Edinburgh.
Oshawa Vikings join clubs such as Kowloon (Hong Kong) and Meraloma (Vancouver) in Stewart’s Melville’s reciprocal network.
On the debit side Stewart’s Melville said farewell this summer to their Kiwi duo, Hayden Hart and Curtis Williams after three seasons in Edinburgh as they return to New Zealand.
Stewart’s Melville vice chair, David Calder, says: ” Hayden and Curtis have been a credit to their parents and families throughout their time with the club, and they will be greatly missed both on and off the park. Their contribution to Stewart’s Melville has extended well beyond the rugby pitch, and they became valued members of the club community.”
A notable addition to the coaching side is Edinburgh Rugby stand-off Ross Thompson who will become the second full time professional rugby player to coach at the club with responsibility for skills, alongside his Edinburgh Rugby team mate Connor Boyle who takes charge of defence.
Hayden Lingard is this season;s attack coach with Andrew Whitelaw 2nd XV coach.
