In clubhouses from Dunbar to Dalkeith, there’s a new sight catching eyes this season — Edinburgh Rugby’s famous castle crest appearing not just on the pro players at Hive Stadium, but on the jackets of the men and women driving the game at its roots.
In a move that speaks volumes about connection and community, Edinburgh Rugby has begun supplying branded kit to Development Officers (DOs) across the capital and its surrounding regions. These are the people who spend their days in schools, local clubs, and community pitches, shaping the next generation of Scottish rugby talent — and now, they’ll do it wearing the badge of the city’s professional team.
A Visible Link Between Pro and Grassroots
The idea is simple but powerful: strengthen the bond between the professional game and the grassroots clubs that feed it. By putting the Edinburgh Rugby crest on the backs of Development Officers, the club is making a visible statement — that grassroots rugby is Edinburgh Rugby.
“This project feels like we’re getting right into the heart of our rugby communities,” said Andrew Lamont, Community Delivery Officer for Edinburgh Rugby. “It’s not just about giving out kit — it’s about recognition. Our Development Officers are the bridge between the stadium and the school pitch.”
Lamont’s words echo the sentiment of a growing movement within Scottish rugby to bring the professional and community levels closer together. The new initiative follows the success of the Our Burgh Summer Sessions, which saw pro players swap the gym for grassroots grounds, running training clinics and engaging with young players across ten local clubs.
‘Part of the Team’
For Development Officers like Rowan Armatage of Dunbar RFC, the new kit represents more than just new gear — it’s a badge of belonging.
“It’s class having the Edinburgh Rugby kit,” Armatage said. “It makes you feel part of the team and connects what we do in schools and clubs back to the pro game. It looks professional and helps build that trust when you turn up to coach. Kids see the badge and they light up.”
That sense of pride runs deep. At Ross High, Development Officer Michael Hird described it as a visual bridge between Scotland’s top-tier rugby and its grassroots foundations.
“Wearing the Edinburgh Rugby kit shows that we’re all part of the same rugby family,” he said. “It fosters unity and pride. Young players see that connection and realise they’re part of something bigger — that what happens on their local pitch links all the way up to the stadium on a Friday night.”
A Club for All of the Capital
The club plans to continue the rollout through the season, ensuring every Development Officer in the region is equipped — and visible — in the iconic black and orange. The gesture may be small in scale, but its symbolism is significant.
Rugby in Edinburgh isn’t just about the professional squad. It’s about the Saturday morning minis, the volunteers marking lines in the rain, and the Development Officers working quietly to grow the game’s reach. This initiative recognises that rugby’s real strength comes from the bottom up.
For a club that prides itself on representing “Our Burgh,” Edinburgh Rugby’s latest move is more than just a community gesture — it’s a reminder that professional rugby is at its best when it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the grassroots that built it.
