Premiership remains Highland primary aim
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HIGHLAND Rugby Club’s new director Brian Bell says reaching the Premiership remains their main priority.
The Greens ambition of entering the top flight of Scottish amateur rugby will be on hold for at least this season due to regional leagues, which have been brought in place for one season only.
Last season Highland were in the second tier National One and were in third place before the season was declared null and void.
They would not have been promoted as Biggar were already uncatchable at the top of the table, but were denied the title and promotion due to the season being scrapped.
But when rugby in Scotland is able to return to normal, Bell says Highland will be doing everything they can to win promotion and be at the top table of Scottish club rugby.
“We are looking to continue our success and since I came back to the club, we have always been aiming to become a Premiership outfit,” he said.
“We got pretty close to doing that last season.
“We are now looking to push and gain promotion, which is the main target for the first XV.
“That requires for everything underneath working really well which includes a strong second XV at Caledonia North Two.
“We’re looking to get a third XV playing as well.
“The ambitions haven’t changed at all, we have a great group of coaches, great support staff, so there is nothing to stop us achieving that.”
Bell (65) took over the role as director from Iain Chisholm, who left earlier this month.
The former club captain and president previously worked for Scottish Rugby as a development manager. He returned to Highland a few years ago where he led the second team to an undefeated season in Caledonia North Two in the 2018/19 campaign.
Speaking about being appointed, Bell said: “It was exciting to be asked and I considered what I would be able to offer them in terms of what they were looking for. Highland are a club that I have been with for a long time, so it was not a difficult decision.”
