Cammy Hutchison keeps up North Berwick link at Edinburgh

The 23-year-old is the latest product of North Berwick RFC to sign professional terms with the Capital club.

Following in the footsteps of club centurions Tom Brown and Chris Dean, and more recent East Lothian stars Lewis Carmichael, Roan Frostwick, Callum Hunter-Hill and Rory Darge, Hutchison continues North Berwick’s proud tradition of producing professional players.

The hard-running centre started his playing career at Recreation Park before moving on to both Currie Chieftains and Heriot’s.

On his new deal, Hutchison said: “I’m delighted to be staying on board.

“When I look at where I was 12 months ago, I didn’t think I’d be anywhere near the position I’m in now.

“It’s turned a lot around for me personally as well and I’m really excited to be staying at my hometown club who I’ve grown up supporting.

Cammy Hutchison has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with Edinburgh Rugby. Picture: SNS Group/Edinburgh Rugby

“The opportunities I’ve had early on in the season is something I wasn’t expecting but I’ve loved every occasion I’ve pulled on the jersey and I’m really enjoying my rugby.

“The environment at this club is class and I think you can see that it is translating into results too.

“You can see there is loads of energy in the mornings and everyone has really bought into this new era for the club and the new stadium has been great too.

“There’s a real sense of pride amongst the players to be representing the club and city.

“It’s a really exciting time for everyone involved.”

Hutchison paid tribute to his North Berwick roots by pulling on the socks of the East Lothian club as the Edinburgh Rugby squad trained in preparation for their ‘Club Appreciation Night’ clash against Benetton.

The Edinburgh Rugby squad wore the playing socks of their boyhood clubs in the 24-10 victory over the Italian side on December 3 as part of a wider appreciation night of the grassroots game.

Roan Frostwick also came through at North Berwick to join the professional ranks. Picture: SNS Group/SRU

Hutchison, who attended North Berwick High School, stressed the importance of the club in his blossoming career.

“North Berwick have been massive for me getting to this point,” he added.

“I’ve been really fortunate all the way through school at North Berwick to have role models and guys older than me to look up to.

“There’s a lot of pride when you say you come from a small town like that because you know the sort of legacy and history of players that have come through before you.

“It’s fantastic to see younger guys still coming through and the women’s team being represented from the town as well.

“It was where I first decided that rugby was what I wanted to do and both the school and club were immensely supportive of allowing me to pursue this dream.”

Having already featured in four United Rugby Championship fixtures this season – starting at inside-centre in wins over Scarlets and Zebre – Hutchison will be looking to build on a promising start to the 2021/22 season as Edinburgh Rugby continue to build momentum heading into this month’s 1872 Cup inter-city derbies against Glasgow Warriors.

Callum Hunter-Hill also came through the ranks at North Berwick. Picture: SNS Group Bruce White

Hutchison has made six appearances to date for the Capital club, with the centre grabbing a debut try in last season’s Rainbow Cup defeat to Ulster.

Mike Blair, head coach, was delighted to see Hutchison extend his stay. He said: “He brings an energy in training every day and is a great example of a local guy that has worked tirelessly to get where he is now, having not taken a traditional route to pro rugby.

“North Berwick can be really proud of how many players they have developed and it’s fantastic to see another product of the club sign terms with Edinburgh Rugby.

“Cammy is still a young man and has plenty of room to grow and improve as a player, but we’re really happy with how he’s progressing in his position and what he brings to our overall game.”