Head Coach Peter Murchie has pieced together his support staff which will aid him in the inaugural Super6 season starting later in the year. An extensive recruitment process was carried out, whittling down over 90 applicants to a handful of successful candidates. Those selected include a balance of familiar faces, along with some fresh blood. Selected are:
Forwards Coach – Pat MacArthurPlayer/ Skills Coach – Frazier ClimoStrength and Conditioning Coach – Alex BoyleHead of Rugby Operations – Gordon KotzeTeam Manager – Douglas StanleyTeam Doctor – Graham HollinsHead Physiotherapist – Jessica Alexander Pat MacArthur – The former Scotland 15s and 7s cap remains Pete Murchie’s right hand man. One of the remaining legends of ’09, Pat has put his stamp on the Ayr pack over the last few years and will hope they continue in their rich vein of form. Frazier Climo – “It’s through the middle, the pink panthers are roaring” still rings through the ears of the Millbrae faithful and the talismanic ten will be responsible for passing some of the expertise he showed that day onto his teammates. He will look to lead on the pitch yet again, whilst picking up a coaching role under Murchie. Alex Boyle – The newest face in Pete Murchie’s backroom staff, Boyle joins Ayr with thirteen years of experience in the S&C field. During this time he has worked with the likes of SportScotland, Tennis Scotland, the Scottish Women’s National Football Team and Scottish Rugby’s National Age-Grade System. Gordon Kotze – A familiar face around Millbrae, Gordon Kotze coached the U18s for a four-year stint before taking the reins of the 2ndXV for the same time period. A former SRU new coach of the Year, Kotze will manage the logistical side of the Super6 squad alongside player communication. He ended his tenor with the 2ndXV last season, finishing in second place with a points difference of +260. Douglas Stanley – The heartbeat of Ayr RFC for almost five decades, ‘Stanners’ joined Ayr in 1970. Since then he has done it all as a player, coach, ref and most recognisably team manager. Doug will reprise his role, putting to bed any murmurs of retirement. Graham Hollins – Another return, ‘Doc’ has been heading up the club’s medical team formally for twelve years. Before then he spent three years assisting his predecessor Brian Scobie. Jessica Alexander – After four years at the club assisting Helen Reid, Jessica will move into the head Physio role with the Super6 squad. Originally plying her trade at Ardrossan Accies, Jessica learned from the then-Glasgow Warriors doctor Gerry Haggerty. Head Coach Peter Murchie is delighted with his appointments, stating: “Each individual brings their own strengths within their specific field. “We have been working hard collectively in preparation for the start of the inaugural Super6 season”.
(Peter Murchie at BT Murrayfield before his Scottish Cup Final Triumph over Heriots. Image George McMillan)