HURRICANCES ADD TO THEIR COACHING LINE UP

The Dundee Hurricanes have added to their coaching staff ahead of the upcoming season with the appointment of Alec Brannan as Off Co-Ordinator, Ross McPherson as Def Co-Ordinator and Craig Blacklaw as Special Teams Co-Ordinator.

RB Alec is a former Dundee Whaler player who came back to Dundee in 2003, after a long service in the Royal Navy. He brings with him over 18 years of experience and some great ideas for the offense.

LB Ross is also a former Whaler and Team Scotland squad member and over 17 years experience in the game and his experience will prove invaluable to the Hurricanes young squad. His aggressive style of play when he played will be mirrored when his defensive takes the field on the opening game of the season, in April.

Craig is a former DB for Scotland & GB youth player and competed in the European Youth Championships in Scotland in 2002. Craig has unfortunately been forced to stop playing through injury and has been given the opportunity to coach Special Teams. Craig will bring a mutual respect from fellow coaches and players. He is well liked among the players and knows how to get 110% from each player.

All coaches are making their first steps into coaching and will be guided by Head Coach Bruce Foster.

Bruce added "In making these appointments we are making a committment to maintaining a standard of coaching that will allow us to compete at a high level for the forseable future. This will guaranteed the teams long-term success on the field. We are also avoiding loosing these experienced individuals, who would have just normally walked away from the sport".

2004 Div 2 Int winner, Fraser Thomson and Hot Iron Player of the year for 2004, will continue as Def Assistant. The former Team Scotland Youth player will assist Ross McPherson in implementing the new defensive schemes.

All the Lineman will be coached by former Team Scotland Youth players Lars Halford and Steve Cook.

All five coaches will be heading to Edinburgh on the 20th February for the BAFCA Level 1 course at Napier University.

Bruce Foster will continue as Head Coach. Working with each coach and player development, while continuing to develop the clubs Grassroots programme.

All appointments have a great mix of experience and enthusiasm, bringing new ideas and philosophies to the team ahead of the 2005 season.