The club would like to offer our huge congratulations to Ciera Campbell on her appointment as Men’s 1st team coach for Strathendrick Rugby Club. It is fitting that this appointment is being made as the country celebrates Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week 2021. Ciera is a great ambassador for the sport and part of a new generation of women leaders in rugby.

We are still researching with the SRU, but we believe that Ciera may be one of the first and certainly the youngest female coach of a senior men’s 1st XV rugby team in Scotland.

Strathendrick’s President Jeremy Pemberton-Pigott said “We are delighted with this appointment. Ciera is home-grown talent and an excellent coach, who has earned this opportunity following many years developing her skills and knowledge whilst coaching through the age groups. The club gives her our full backing and our very best wishes in this new role.

Ciera’s rugby journey began playing rugby for her school at Balfron High School. She then took on roles as Balfron Rugby MA and then Strathendrick Community Rugby Coach working with Active Stirling coaching thousands of children in primary schools across Central Scotland. Whilst working as an MA she also had a short stint managing the Edinburgh U20’s and has also helped with pathway selection days for Caledonia on a number of occasions.

Ciera has travelled and coached on 3 international rugby tours to Italy, Poland and Dublin at U18, U16 and U13 age groups coaching alongside the likes of Marco Bertolami (former Italy Captain and Benetton coach). For the past 3 years she has been coaching the Strathendrick/Balfron U18 team as well as helping establish girls rugby teams at the school/club. Ciera has been playing rugby herself for West of Scotland ladies team for 3 years and at the same time has also completed a Batchelor of Science Sports Degree at the Open University. Ciera has a full list of coaching qualifications including being a UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 Rugby qualified coach and also level 1 rugby referee qualified and UKCC level 1 in Strengths and Conditioning.

Ciera will be coaching a young 1st XV team with many of the young men familiar with Ciera having recently played U18’s level in the past few years. As we evolve out of COVID-19, we wish Ciera every success in developing and growing the team to playing exciting and enjoyable rugby!