It doesn’t seem like two years ago that I was elected to the position of Vice - President and last year installed as President. It’s just flown in. A new season is just before us.

On the international front it’s been a year of real highs, countered by deep low emotions. We were so near to progressing to the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup and who knows what might have happened next! In the 6 Nations, beating France at BT Murrayfield was a real highlight. As a rugby playing nation we should be proud of what we have achieved over the past year and give Vern Cotter and his squad our full support in the Autumn tests and next year in the 6 Nations.

On the Club front there were many memorable moments across the country. Among these the first national Club conference, two great & famous Clubs, Glasgow Accies and West of Scotland – both founding members of the SRU - celebrating their 150 year anniversaries, the wonderful Orkney RFC celebrating their 50th birthday and Annan winning the team of the year at the Club Awards Dinner. The Club Awards Dinner is the highlight of the Club year for me, congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

At the elite level of the club game Heriot’s are to be congratulated on their achievement of winning a unique treble, of BT Premiership, BT Cup and Challenge Cup under the assured guidance of SRU Club Coach of the Year Phil Smith. Phil also coached the Scottish Club international team to their most successful year yet. Well Done Phil!

By the time you receive this letter the hustings for the Vice-President candidates will have been completed. Subject to ratification by member clubs, the winning candidate will, 24 months later, take up the highest position within Scottish Rugby, that of President of the Scottish Rugby Union.

It may seem obvious, but I can assure you all from first-hand experience, that the role requires a hands-on knowledge of domestic rugby across the country at all levels. That’s not all, the skill set is extensive: experience of serving on a corporate board or equivalent, ambassadorial skills, diplomacy (both internally and externally,) integrity, leadership, an ability to speak knowledgeably and with confidence in public, the ability and confidence to constructively challenge others in the wider interest of our great game without fear or favour and to set realistic agendas and objectives. Again from my experience, the skills needed to be an effective Vice-President are not learned solely on the job.

Can I please urge you to consider all of the foregoing and to ensure that your club representatives attend the AGM at BT Murrayfield on the 20th of August. This is your game and the selection of the best candidate is fundamentally important for the future of club rugby in Scotland.

Finally, can I wish you all a successful season on and off the pitch and can I thank you all collectively for your support. It has been an absolute privilege to serve you as President and I wish the incoming President, Rob Flockhart, every good fortune for his time in office.

Very Kind Regards

Edward A Crozier
President of ScottIsh Rugby Union