Season 2006/2007 saw Caithness Rugby consolidate its position in National Division 2. After several years of promotion Caithness have made significant progress this last year and have ended up mid table. The season has been difficult for the coach and the team. Key players suffered long term injuries, other key players are now working offshore in the oil industry on a two on two off rota system, making selection and training very difficult for the coach and unsettling for the team. Added to that, the team is going through a natural transition with some of the old guard leaving or winding down and being replaced by some very able but inexperienced and raw youngsters. In such circumstances, to end up mid table is a very positive result for the County team. The coach has remarked that physically the game is much harder in Division 2. With 12 teams in the league the extra four games have made the campaign a very long one and a series of postponed games, as a result of the autumn deluges, meant games being played in May when players really have had enough of rugby. Remember, training for 2007/2008 begins in just a few weeks, in early July.

Off the pitch the club has been very active. Last May we held a very successful Sportsman's Dinner in the Weigh Inn. Our principal speaker was Andy Irvine, President of the Scottish Rugby Union and funds raised are going towards the drainage of the pitch at Millbank. At the time of writing the Club is awaiting word from SportsScotland about receiving the final but significant batch of funding. We have received positive verbal responses from the awarding body and final word should be in the post any day.

Caithness Rugby Club is now a registered charity and this positive step forward should facilitate funding applications from a wider spectrum of awarding bodies for future developments, such as a new pavilion.

The financial implications of the County of Caithness having a team in the National Leagues are huge. Next season we will play Dumfries, Newton Stewart and Stewartry, all teams only a few miles apart deep in southwest Scotland - a seven hour plus journey from Caithness and, in addition, there are a clutch of teams in the Glasgow area. It is doubtful if there is a greater travelling schedule for any amateur team in any sport in Scotland.

The Club now has a physiotherapist at home and away games. All in all, to run the first XV costs around £16,000. The Club works hard at raising money from fund raising activities (e.g. selling Christmas trees), but without sponsorship support from local companies Caithness RFC could not afford to represent the County at National level.

Playing in a National League means a huge commitment from players and coaches. Away games involve leaving Caithness after work on a Friday night, staying in accommodation, usually in Perth, playing the game on the Saturday and, afterwards, the long drive North, arriving home anywhere between 10.00pm and midnight. Week in week out in the depths of winter this requires commitment, determination and stamina from players and support from families, wives and girlfriends.

We are particularly proud that our Club is representative of all Caithness, calling on players, from all sections of the community, exclusively from within the County.

Three or four seasons ago we entertained crowds of around 30 (on a good day). The Caithness public have really embraced the local Rugby team with crowds growing each year, to around 200 on a regular basis and for Cup and promotion ties we can draw crowds of 400-500. We are delighted that they come from all over the County to support us and we are also pleased that we have a significant support from the local football fraternity.

Representing Caithness in the National set up is not cheap. Our travelling expenses are around £10,000 for the 1st XV for the season. We also support a 2nd team and younger age group rugby.

We are well supported by local business, both financially and in kind, for which we are truely greatful. Without that support we simply could not survive.