Hastings named as chairman of Edinburgh

Former Scotland and British Lions captain Gavin Hastings has been appointed Chairman of Edinburgh Rugby Club with immediate effect.

And he's not the only Gavin making the headlines today as Scotland prop Gavin Kerr strengthens the playing squad by signing for Edinburgh.

The news was announced this afternoon as Edinburgh Rugby Club also unveiled a new sponsor and logo at their season launch at Our Dynamic Earth, overlooking the capital's Holyrood Park.

Edinburgh Rugby Club's Chief Executive Nic Cartwright: "Gavin is a real bonus for the club. Having seen his commitment and passion, I know that he will play a big part in driving our club forward."

Hastings said: "It is an honour to be working for Edinburgh Rugby Club. I have huge desire and passion to see this game and this club grow, and I will be working with Nic and the team to ensure that we achieve success as soon as possible."

Gavin Kerr, who is leaving for the World Cup with the national squad next week, has won 42 caps, the most recent of which was against South Africa last Saturday. He said: "I am delighted to be signing for Edinburgh as it's a club that has so much going for it. The squad has a really good feel about it, and I can't wait to play my first game for the team."

Edinburgh are also pleased to announce a new sponsor for the upcoming season. Jewson will be joining the club as an associate partner, alongside Magners, KooGa, and VisitScotland as the kit sponsors for the Magners League & Heineken Cup campaigns. The UK's leading supplier of timber and building products is keen to be proactive in its sponsorship with a number of initiatives expected to run in Jewson stores throughout the year.

The club unveiled their new logo at the launch where supporters also had a chance to meet the full squad of players. Nic Cartwright said: "The process of creating a new logo involved speaking to all groups within the club, from players and supporters, to sponsors and staff. We wanted to make sure the logo reflected all that is good about the club's history and all that is good about its future.

"As a club, we must respect tradition, but we plan to be a modern, forward-thinking club. The choice of the castle is one that the players were very keen to support and they will be looking forward to defending our castle on each and every match day."

Cartwright also announced a number of marketing initiatives, including a commitment to communicating openly with supporters who he hopes will be involved in the promotion of the club. Further information is available online at www.edinburghrugby.org, alongside details of the re-released season tickets which are available now, ahead of the first Magners League home game against Ulster on Friday September 28 at Murrayfield, (kick- off at 7.30pm).