MELROSE Rugby Club will undergo a major revamp in a bid to change the negative perceptions other Borders towns have of the Greenyards.

And, the famous ‘Home of the Sevens’ is soon to become the home of local football too - the first club in the Borders to share its pitch between both sports.

Rugby players and townspeople admitted that the club was perceived as "arrogant, unfriendly, and unapproachable" - an image they are desperate to change - at a public consultation with between PMR Sports and Leisure Consultants, who are in charge of the club makeover.

Melrose Rugby club President Trevor Jackson said: “The committee are looking at improving where the club stands in the town. 

“It seems to have been a bit of a struggle over the last 15 years to make sure the community stays engaged with the rugby club - so we want to utilise our facilities to their full potential and welcome the wider community to use them.

“We’re not necessarily ‘opening’ our doors with this new initiative, but hoping people will understand our doors are already, always open.”

PMR’s Penny Lochhead attended last week’s Melrose Community Council meeting along with Mr Jackson. The two presented their hopes for the future of the Greenyards.

Ms Lochhead told councillors: “We held a meeting three weeks ago for coaches, players from the men’s and ladies team, members of the community, and all sorts of people involved with the rugby club - from volunteers to the executive.

“It was a real eye opener and they were all very honest about the club being seen as arrogant, unfriendly and unnaproachable.

“Many ladies in the town said they would never dream of setting foot near the club because it’s intimidating.

“The club wants to be a community asset and change these perceptions.”

Ms Lochhead is in charge of conducting studies and surveys throughout Melrose and the whole of the Borders to gauge opinion of what could be done to improve the Greenyards and what additional facilities locals would like to see.

She added: “We want to make sure the club is here for the next 20 to 30 years by securing its position as a community hub.”

A lack of floodlights, an ageing stand, inadequate separate-sex changing facilities, and the need to keep the pitch in good condition for big games are a few of the reasons that the Greenyards is not used to its full possible potential. 

Ms Lochhead pointed out that five parks around the town are used by various clubs throughout the week and wants to grab the opportunity to make the Greenyards a hub of the town.

Therefore, a synthetic pitch, which will cost somewhere between £700,000 and £800,000 - is an almost definite possibility.

“The 250 young people who play football in this town are delighted at the prospect of a synthetic pitch,” she said. 

“This would bring both rugby and football teams who currently play on the outskirts of Melrose together - and be the first to do so.”

A community gym and more of a push on the club’s Heritage Museum are further proposals to increase the club’s town presence.

Community Councillors agreed that “Melrose was not the most popular club in the Borders” but welcomed the proposals that sought to alter this.

Provost William Windram said: “This can only be a good thing for Melrose Rugby Club and the town in general.”

After the period of public consultation is over, PMR Consultants hope to get the revamp underway in time for the Olympics, where Rugby Sevens will be played for the very first time.

“Melrose Rugby Club stands for something global - it is famous all over the world for the Sevens,” explained Ms Lochhead. “This summer is the perfect time to launch the club’s new image, amongst all the Olympic hype.”