HADDINGTON are getting ready to embrace the “new challenge” after returning to rugby’s national set up.
The Neilson Park side enjoyed a season to remember last year, culminating in promotion from East Region League Division One and reaching the final of the National Shield.
Saturday brings the first game of the season as Kilmarnock travel to the east of Scotland in National League Division Four.
Rhodri Thomas, Haddington’s head coach, was looking forward to the new campaign kicking off.
He said: “It is a new challenge.
“It is exciting to be playing against different teams.
“We had been in that East League for a number of seasons and it is nice to be going to different places and some teams that we have not played for a long time.
“That is exciting and we will just see where we are, really.
“We think we can compete.
“We think we are in a position to compete in the league and we are just excited to get going.”
Haddington came through last season with just one defeat from 16 league games.
Being in East Region League Division One meant ties against fellow East Lothian sides Dunbar, Ross High and North Berwick, as well as clubs in nearby Edinburgh.
The longest trip was a visit to Dumfries and Galloway to take on Langholm.
Now, in the national set-up, Haddington can look forward to trips to Ardrossan, Stewartry and Garnock – with a long trip north to Orkney in the National League Cup to navigate in November.
Thomas said: “It is certainly nice to be in the national leagues.
“This particular league comes with its own challenges around travelling.
“There is a lot of travelling involved in this league and we are aware of that.
“That is something the players are very aware of.
“That level of commitment is really important.
“We are happy, very happy, to be back in the national leagues and we are challenging ourselves.”
Pre-season preparations have seen Haddington take on near-neighbours Preston Lodge before a trip to the Scottish Borders to face Melrose Storm over the weekend.
Thomas was pleased with the efforts of his squad, focusing on the minutes that players secured rather than results, and was now firmly focused on the competitive action getting under way at 3pm at Neilson Park.
He said: “Our player numbers have been superb, which is excellent.
“We are really encouraged by the number of players that have been training consistently for the whole pre-season.”
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