Ayr Rugby Club is pleased to announce that Pat MacArthur will be continuing his role as part of the coaching team at Millbrae for the 2024-25 season. This decision comes following the conclusion of the Super Series era, which resulted in the dissolution of the Ayrshire Bulls.
MacArthur, a former student of Prestwick Academy, led the Bulls to their third Super Series title with a 33-19 victory over the Stirling Wolves on June 7. This win solidified the Bulls as the most successful team of the part-time professional initiative, securing two Sprint titles and one Championship during the FOSROC Super Series era.
Despite the uncertainty faced by players and coaching staff due to the discontinuation of the Super Series initiative by the Scottish Rugby Union earlier this year, Ayr Rugby Club has confirmed that 37-year-old former Glasgow Warriors forward, Pat MacArthur, will continue in the capacity of ‘forwards consultant’ at Millbrae. This is as the Pink and Blacks prepare to compete in the Premiership in 2024-25 after their successful promotion to the top flight last season.
Ryan Grant will also be joining MacArthur in a similar role, balancing his responsibilities with Ayr’s forwards with his position as head coach at Glasgow Accies. A club spokesperson noted MacArthur’s extensive knowledge in scrums, lineouts, and general forward play, as well as Grant’s consultancy role at Glasgow Accies and their combined contributions to mentoring players at all levels of the club.
In addition to the retention of MacArthur and Grant, Frazier Climo, the Bulls’ assistant head coach, will continue at Millbrae as the squad’s attack coach, while Grant Anderson remains as the first XV’s head coach. The coaching team for the 2024-25 season will also include Dean Kelbrick as the second XV’s head coach, Craig Gossman as an assistant coach, and key players from last season, Ed Bloodworth and Calvin Henderson, serving as player-coaches under MacArthur and Grant. Moreover, former Bulls centre/wing Bobby Beattie will lead the club’s strength and conditioning provision, in addition to working with the club’s youth academy.
Ayr Rugby Club is currently in the process of appointing a coach for the Millbrae third XV, who will compete in the West Region Reserve Division 1 next season.
The first XV will commence their Premiership campaign at home against Currie Chieftains on Saturday, August 31, while the second XV will begin their campaign in the Inter City Reserve League on the same day, hosting Stirling County’s second XV. The third XV will start their league season away to Hillhead-Jordanhill’s second XV on September 7. Ayr’s ladies’ team will kick off their 2024-25 league campaign with an away game against Oban Lorne in West Division 1 on Sunday, August 25.