PLAYERS at Ross High Rugby Club in Tranent have received a big boost after their club’s newly refurbished gym opened.

Found in the club on Blawearie Road, the new facility is currently open to adult players, who can take part in activities in line with the current coronavirus regulations and those set out by the Scottish Rugby Union.

It is also hoped that, in future, youngsters from the town’s Recharge facility could have access to the gym.

Ross High’s players have not been able to fully train for seven months due to Covid rules, with restricted training taking place since April.

Players have only now been able to resume regular training, the first time since November.

Called the Chris Miller Fitness Suite after the club’s long-time player and the project’s major sponsor, the gym contains several weight benches, racks, weights, a bike machine, and two other weight machines.

There is also a personal best board for players to mark and record their performance.

A dumbbell rack will be the last piece of equipment installed, still to be purchased by the club.

Almost all of the equipment was brand new, with the old second-hand pieces that used to be in place now no longer fit for purpose and not suitable for rugby.

The gym, found near the changing facilities, is decorated in the club’s colours.

Work took place over seven months. The old gym was stripped bare, the walls painted, a new ventilation and sound system installed and new flooring put in.

The club raised more than £7,000 in sponsorship from members, players, coaches and sponsors to help make the project a reality, while the Walk With Scott Foundation – whose founder, the late Scott Glynn, was the club’s former president – and East Lothian Council also helped bring the gym to life.

Due to Covid restrictions, players have to book a slot beforehand.

Ryan Strachan, Ross High’s rugby and business officer, said that with the season the club had had, the new gym was some good news.

He added: “A huge amount of work has gone into this project from initial fundraising, socially distanced work from a small group of volunteers and now organising safe re-opening for players using an online booking system.

“On behalf of the club, a big thanks to our sponsors, contributors, the small group of highly committed volunteers and our suppliers.

“If it wasn’t for membership and people wanting to help, we wouldn’t be able to do a lot of things.”

Younger players will be able to access the gym in due course in cooperation with Active Schools, while those who attend the town’s Recharge could also soon be able to use it.