GALA Rugby have confirmed the appointment of Ewen Swinton to the position of Director of Rugby with immediate effect.

Born and brought up in Kelso he moved to Gala in 1987 following his marriage to Morag.

He has two grown children Greg and Katrina, and one grandchild, who is already keeping him busy.

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His professional career started with RBS where he left as business manager to become bursar at St Mary’s School in Melrose then the same role at Austin Friars in Carlisle.

Following his official retirement in 2019 he retained his long-standing position on the board at Eildon Housing in addition to assisting with second team rugby at Gala.

Ewen is well versed in Borders rugby from school and then semi-junior and Kelso where a broken leg curtailed his playing career.

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He has been involved in age grade rugby at Gala whilst his children were growing up and is passionate and positive about club rugby.

His management and organisational skills have already led him to be involved with the development of a Borders Reserve team league for next season and to his appointment as Operations Manager for the reintroduction of the Inter District competition involving ‘The South’ in May.

He told Borders Rugby TV: “It wasn’t something that was on my radar particularly. I’m not full of my own importance at all. I didn’t think of myself as a natural choice.

“But they sold it to me very positively so I was happy to accept and I see it as a huge responsibility to a great club to do the very best we can to ensure that the structure is there to get the best out of youngsters as they come through and to fill the Gala team with Gala boys much like Hawick has done in recent times.

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“And to provide the right platform for guys to come through, to make the club appealing for all age groups, for spectators to fill the clubhouse and to work with these guys to do everything I can to give the best possible outcome and results for Gala Rugby and the whole town.”