WATSONIANS MEN’S 1XV HEAD COACH, DAVEY WILSON, LOOKS AHEAD TO THE NEW LOOK PREMIERSHIP AFTER A SUCCESSFUL FIRST PRE-SEASON WITH THE CLUB.
Following the conclusion of National 1 and the announcement restructure, Watsonian Football Club started the 2024/25 Premiership campaign by welcoming new head coach, Davey Wilson. Having coached teams across the country such as Boroughmuir Bears and Biggar RFC, Davey brings with him a wealth of experience.
To help bring Davey’s vision to life is a strong coaching team made up of assistant coaches Fin Gillies, Richard Snedden and Mike Ker. Each member of this coaching team brings unique skillsets and experiences that will play a vital part in bringing success to the club in what is set out to be one of the most challenging Premiership seasons in recent history. Together, the team will develop a brand of rugby that is not only enjoyable to watch but unmistakably ‘Watsonians’.
Taking on the Head Coach role marked a new beginning for Davey, and coming from an Assistant Coach role at Boroughmuir, stepping into the new role at Myreside gives him the opportunity to make his mark on the team, implementing a philosophy and themes that will become the cornerstone of the brand of rugby that he will have the team playing in no time.
One of the biggest challenges that Davey has faced since taking on the role and throughout this preseason has been merging multiple squads. As the Super Series has come to an end, Watsonians has been successful in retaining a number of members of last year’s Super Series squad alongside an already strong 1st and 2nd XV from the 2023/24 season. Although a challenge, building multiple strong squads excites Davey:
“I have already been impressed by the way the squad has come together, and whilst I have to manage expectations, the players have massively stepped up to drive standards and hold each other accountable.”
With the 2024/25 Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership season quickly approaching, Watsonians will begin the campaign on the road in the Borders, facing Kelso at Poynder Park. After finishing fourth in the Premiership last season, Kelso will be full of confidence going into Saturday’s game. Kelso’s new head coach is Nikki Walker, who having spent years coaching at Watsonians, will know the squad very well. Davey himself is no stranger to this Kelso team, having matched up against the black and white stripes multiple time during his time at Biggar. He said:
“Kelso is coming off the back of a very impressive season. They have a great mix of youth and experience and with some good offseason recruitment, we have no doubt that the season opener is going to be a real challenge.”
As the fixtures come thick and fast, Davey is looking at the season in different stages, identifying the opening three fixtures as a climb. He continued:
“With games against Ayr and Melrose following the opening-day clash, it is key that the squad is relentless and stays in the fight through a period of difficult fixtures. We have prepared accordingly and it is important to enjoy the challenge as we face it head on.”
While Scottish Club Rugby enters a new era, Watsonians is excited to step-up led by Head Coach, Davey Wilson. He added:
“With the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership showing no weaknesses, it is highly unpredictable how the league will play out, but with a preseason under the belt, I know the squad will head into the year with confidence, as a team, working for each other. We want to be competitive in the Premiership this year, and we are building the foundations to be able to do so. Of course, there is an element of luck with these things, but we will be relentless in putting ourselves in the best position to enjoy success.”
To support Davey and the squad at Myreside this season, please consider becoming a member today.
