SRU chief Jim on a grand Scottish tour

Aug 21 2008 by Kenny Smith, Hamilton Advertiser

SCOTTISH Rugby Union president Jim Stevenson has clocked up over 1000 miles in his six-week reign as he bids to provide the club game with a louder voice – and stay true to his word.

Uddingston man Jim, a former president of Cambuslang Rugby Club, is keen to show clubs that regardless of their size, they have a voice which will be listened to by the SRU.

Jim has been through to Murrayfield on several occasions but has also called in at various clubs and has plans to visit Stornoway and the borders within the next few weeks.

He said: “One guy drove down to Edinburgh from Stornoway for an AGM, and drove the nine hours back, so I wrote to him and thanked him.

“I did the same for a guy from Orkney, for taking the time to come down and make a contribution to the game.

“Stornoway are playing Montrose in the preliminary round of the Caledonia Regional Cup, and I’ve said I’ll go up for that, so I’ll be up at 4am.

“The following day I’ve got a 5.30am flight back for a 10am kick-off at the Selkirk Sevens.

“But I wouldn’t have it any other way. In all seriousness, we at the SRU have got to connect with our stakeholder clubs and treat everyone the same way, no matter what league they play in.”

From the word ‘go’, Jim has promised to be as hands-on as he can, and so far is keeping to his word.

He said: “The day after I was elected, I climbed halfway up Ben Nevis, then did my first club visit to Lochaber.

“They had some people along from the British Heart Foundation who were running up and down the various bens to raise money so I got to meet them. I’ve also been out and about and visited various club, including Hamilton, Uddingston, Lanark and, of course, Cambuslang.

“After the SRU AGM, by the end of the first night, the championship committee had reached a provisional agreement for the current season as there had been a lot of unhappiness about the proposed dates for fixtures.

“We consulted with as many people as we could as quickly as possible to get a new fixture list created, then met again on the Monday so that everything could be confirmed.

“I’m just delighted that everyone has signed up to what I want the SRU to do, and we’re able to look forward to the season ahead with some optimism.”

Jim is also now the senior trustee on the SRU’s Centenary Fund Committee, which was set up to assist current and former players.