Waid Academy Former Pupils Rugby Football Club is a Rugby Union club based in Anstruther, Fife. They currently play in Caledonia Midlands Three.

Waid Academy FPRFC
Full nameWaid Academy Former Pupils Rugby Football Club
Founded1887; 137 years ago
LocationAnstruther, Scotland Scotland
Ground(s)Waid Park, Anstruther
PresidentScotland Kato Berg-Blockley
Coach(es)South Africa Nicholas Janse van Rensburg
Captain(s)Scotland Niall Hutchison
League(s)Caledonia Midlands Three
2019–20Caledonia Midlands Three, 3rd of 9
Team kit
Official website
www.pitchero.com/clubs/waidacademyfp/

Waid are sponsored by The Station Buffet Bar.

History edit

The Waid Academy Former Pupil's Rugby Club beginnings can be traced back to 1887 when pupils and staff of Waid Academy created what was known as ‘The Etceteras‘ and played their first game in a friendly against Elie. The club has operated endlessly excluding disruptions during the first and second world wars.

Up until the early 60's, the president of the club was also the School's Head Master.[1]

Waid Academy FPRFC still play their home matches at the Waid Academy pitches on the grounds of the high school.[2]

On 2 September 1983, The rugby club's members were able to purchase an old bakery on the Anstruther's High Street and this was transformed into the Waid Academy FPRFC Clubhouse.[citation needed]

Squad 2024/2025 edit

Hookers
  Andrew Marley
  Ben Langlands

Props
  Calum Johnstone
  Scott Herd
  James Allen
  Duncan Fraser

Locks
  Peter Smillie
  Steve Mclean
  Cameron Marr
  Christopher Saweres

 

Loose forwards
  Mark Guthrie
  Alan Stephen
  Nairn Spence
  Michael Stockwell

Half backs
  Nicholas Janse van Rensburg
  Niall Hutchison (Captain)
  Dylan Muir
  Hughes Gillin

 

Centres
  Sandy McIntosh
  Gavin Williams

Back Three
  Michael Dunsire
  Andrew Allen
  David Brown
  Finley Muir

Youth Development & Coaching edit

The Waid Academy FPRFC Modern Apprentice for 2016/17 is David Hodge  .

Waid Academy FPRFC run rugby programmes for all Primary School ages. This age group are known as the Waid Pirates and meet on a Sunday during term time at the Waid Academy pitches.

The club also coach those of High School age. There is an S1/2 team, an Under 16's team & an Under 18's team.

In late 2011, UKCC level 2 qualified Club Coach Co-Ordinator Zander Anderson was awarded The Royal Bank of Scotland Club Volunteer of the Month of November[3] in association with Scottish Rugby Union.

Subsequently, in 2014, Richard Dyce was awarded the BT Club Volunteer of the Month for October[4] in association with Scottish Rugby Union.

Senior Rugby edit

Waid FPRFC run an over 35's team called The Waid Buccaneers.

The Waid Buccaneers won The St Andrews Day Veterans Tournament on Saturday 26 November 2011 held by Madras College FP RFC.[5]

Waid Academy F.P. Sevens edit

The club run the Waid Academy F.P. Sevens. The Sevens tournament began in 1954; entrants play for the Wilson Cup.[6]

Honours edit

  • Waid Academy F.P. Sevens[6]
    • Champions: 1965, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989
  • Alloa Sevens[7]
    • Champions: 1982
  • North of Scotland Cup
    • Champions: 1933

Notable former players edit

Only one Waid Academy FPRFC player has represented Scotland.

Waid FP John Alexander Davidson gained his first cap for Scotland in 1959 against England National Rugby Union Team.[8] He made three appearances for Scotland and whilst serving on overseas duty with the Royal Air Force (1952–54), captained the RAF Hong Kong XV, and the combined services XV. John also played for the Hong Kong Colony against the Fijians. Having learned his rugby at Waid Academy, John moved on to Edinburgh Wanderers and played for the North & Midlands side in 1958 against an Australian touring team. He also played for Racing Club de France in Paris, the club which is today better known as Racing 92. John was awarded the Honour of Life member of Waid FP Rugby Club in 1997. On the 22 January 2016, John died aged 83.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "Club History". www.pitchero.com.
  2. ^ "Waid ease to win". www.fifetoday.co.uk.
  3. ^ "Zander receives his award".
  4. ^ "Richard receives his award".
  5. ^ "Buccaneer's Captain Mick McCowan with the trophy".
  6. ^ a b "Waid Academy F.P. Sevens". June 7, 2019.
  7. ^ "Alloa Sevens". June 7, 2019.
  8. ^ Player number 692
  9. ^ "Waid FP Internationalist". www.pitchero.com.