Greens’ new head coach aiming for the top as he seeks a change in mindset
Preparations are under way for the new season of both the men’s and women’s squads of Caithness Rugby Club.
Overseeing the men’s twice-weekly sessions is new head coach Sinclair Dunnett and his five-strong team of assistants.
The 44-year-old ex-Greens prop has a strong track record as the girls’ and young women’s coach in producing a string of talented youngsters who have competed at the top level in the Scottish game.
He inherits a senior squad that has over the past few seasons proved very competitive at home but whose heavily depleted contingents on the road have incurred a series of chastening defeats.
Dunnett is determined that he and his lieutenants will bring about a change in the mindset of players to commit to training and playing home and away.
He is mindful that Caithness share with many clubs an enduring hangover from the pandemic.
“I would say that clubs across Scotland have suffered from the Covid effect,” Dunnett said. “There is a club in the Edinburgh area who used to run three XVs that are now struggling to turn out one.”
Dunnett wants all the senior players to buy into a fresh ethos being promoted by the new coaching team.
He said: “We’ve got a really good group of guys on board. We’re starting from scratch and have been looking at where our strengths lie and allocating roles on the back of that.
“We want to create a positive environment for the boys to play in and to get everyone on the same page in terms of the way we want to play.”
Tommy Sutherland is to serve as coach manager with Russell Mill, Stevie Campbell, Norman Foubister and Graham Fryer completing the line-up.
Dunnett is also to call on the expertise of others such as former Greens coach Kenny Russell and Wick mini coach and former Scottish under-20 cap Kris Hamilton.
Caithness will again take part in the North Conference of Caledonia League Division 1.
First up in the seven-team conference is a marathon road-and-air trip to newly promoted Shetland on August 23.
Dunnett views this as a tough test in a league that also includes Mackie, Aberdeenshire, Gordonians Seconds, Highland Seconds and Ross Sutherland.
Asked about his aspirations, he said: “We’ll be aiming to finish top. There is some tough opposition but, with the boys we have, there’s no reason why we can’t be challenging.”
Personnel-wise, the squad will be similar to last season. Lock forward Kevin Budge, who recanted on his intention to hang his boots up last term, plans to concentrate on a coaching role for the Krakens.
Prop Dom Smith-Hanratty has moved away.
The seniors will be boosted by the expected inclusion during the course of the season of a number of last year’s under-18 side, while former Moray second row Toran Simmons has moved to the far north, as has Finn Rettie, who has returned to the game after a lengthy sabbatical.
Campbell, a former skipper of the Greens, has recently moved back to Reay from the Ardnamurchan area and intends to combine his coaching duties with a playing role.
Number eight Reece Coghill is fighting fit again after a run of injuries, while stand-off/centre Marc Anderson has returned to training after keyhole surgery on a knee.
Back-three player Cameron Ryder is battling to overcome a chronic shoulder injury, while centre Charlie Quinn is hoping to return to action without the need for surgery on a troublesome knee.
The Greens, who will again be skippered by Cole Wilson, have arranged friendly matches away to Orkney (August 2) and Oban Lorne (August 9) and at home to RAF Lossiemouth (August 16).
The latter will serve as the belated memorial match between the sides since the death of former Greens player Marc Mackenzie. The 30-year-old from Castletown, who had a spell working at the Lossie air base, was killed in a motorcycle crash in his home village in 2021.
Last year’s North Caley 3 champions Caithness Seconds will complete in the Highlands and Islands Conference of North Caley 2. Dougie Gunn is to serve as the team coordinator.
Dunnett, who runs an undertaker’s business in Thurso, will continue his established role as head of the girls’ and young women’s section.
He was speaking on Tuesday, on the second day of a week-long junior summer rugby camp organised by club development officer Emmie Barter.
She was assisted throughout the week by 15 of her team of young leaders, who have also been helping at local after-school sessions.
The stints were open to P1-7 girls and boys and ran from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday.
Emmie said: “We’re one of the few clubs in Scotland that run a week-long camp. They have been really popular and the youngsters have had lots of fun at them.”