THERE were moments in the past couple of years when Ayr threatened to finish the season atop Scottish club rugby.
The Premiership Division 1 trophy was even presented on their Millbrae ground last season, but to a Boroughmuir side that had shown a level of consistency widely envied. Apologies to Heriot's supporters, who have won the official title three times s
ince 1974, not two as stated this week, but Ayr fans have not savoured that feeling once.
However, change is afoot in Alloway. Kenny Murray, the new man at the helm, is striving to create a new style that he believes could lift Ayr from being competitive with everyone to becoming champions. Some things don't change; they are still keen on imports, the 6ft 4ins tighthead prop Scott Nimmo, from the Western Force Academy in Australia, and New Plymouth Old Boys stand-off Frazer Climo arriving this month.
But there is a changing emphasis. Craig Redpath was the head coach for the past five years and the former Melrose and Scotland A centre-cum-flanker was largely responsible for leading the 1st XV to the top division and moulding them into a team widely respected across the country. It was a great feat, but Redpath would dearly loved to have finished with the trophy he helped take to the Greenyards.
"In fairness to Craig," said Murray, "they were up there last season but were destroyed by injuries. Three key players broke legs and missed all or most of the season; AJ Macfarlane, our Under-21 capped scrum-half, missed eight games with injury and Damien Kelly missed six. And there were others, out here and there, but, thankfully, they are fit again and I expect most, if not all, to play in the opening league match with Melrose.
"That will be a big bonus, but I'm already very encouraged by the pre-season – it's not easy in July with holidays and the farming commitments around here – and the enthusiasm to adapt to the style I think we need to play to make Ayr champions.
"The team have a reputation for tucking the ball up the jumper and attacking around the fringes, but while that has its place and will still be a strong part of our armoury, we have players capable of a more expansive game, attacking in the wide channels, and having the ability to switch between different styles is crucial."
Ayr's predictability has cost them at times, but the advent of ELVs, set to quicken the game, will support Murray's efforts. Change rarely comes easy and Division 1 rugby is also a new challenge for Murray, but he has been immersed in rugby for some time and been desperate for another chance to help guide quality players.
He was a development officer with the SRU, and coached Cartha Queens Park as they moved from Division 3 to the runners-up spot in 2, and reached the cup semi-finals, before an SRU edict ordered all employees to step down from such close club involvement.
Murray is now the senior sports development officer at Glasgow City Council, which is why he is back in hands-on coaching. Despite his background, he insists he has no qualms about bringing in foreign talents and stresses that a balance is necessary.
"It's about looking both at the immediate needs and the long-term development," he said. "There were a couple of positions I felt we lacked any strength in depth, which would cause us problems if we had injuries this season, so we have recruited Frazer, whose club just won the Taranaki championship in New Zealand, and, with Euan Logan retiring this year, Scott will help fill a void. He has Scottish parentage and so we're hopeful he can do well for Ayr and move through the ranks and might one day play for Scotland.
"But the club have a serious commitment to bringing on rugby in this area. Ayr have a great youth system with around 250 players involved from eight to 17, and SRU academy players Pat McArthur and Gordon Reid have come through – Pat is currently in France with Glasgow."
The club have much going for them and deserve credit for sustaining and developing a strong rugby presence in an area renowned for junior football. "Ayr should be competing to win the championship," added Murray.
The full article contains 739 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
