Mark McKenzie (rugby union)

Mark McKenzie (born 2 December 1971) is a former Scotland 'A' international Scottish rugby union player. He played for Caledonia Reds and Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, and for CS Bourgoin-Jallieu and Nice in France.

Mark McKenzie
Birth nameMark McKenzie
Date of birth (1971-12-02) 2 December 1971
Place of birthScotland
Height171 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight78 kg (12 st 4 lb)
SchoolDunblane High School
UniversityUniversity of the Highlands and Islands
Notable relative(s)Kevin McKenzie, brother
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Stirling County
Falkirk RFC		 ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996-98
1998-2000
2000
2001		 Caledonia Reds
CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
Glasgow Warriors
Nice

8

(97)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Glasgow District
North and Midlands		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
- Scotland U18
Scotland U19
Scotland A
Coaching career
Years Team
2012 Falkirk RFC

McKenzie's career spanned the amateur and professional era. In 1989, he was playing for Glasgow District Under 18s.[1] He won the Division One league title in 94/95 with Stirling County.[2]

On Scotland's rugby professionalism in 1996, McKenzie then played for Caledonia Reds and won the Scottish Inter-District Championship with them in the 1996-97 season; their first ever title.[2] He played in the Heineken Cup with Caledonia Reds.

When Caledonia Reds merged with Glasgow Rugby in 1998, to form Glasgow Caledonians, now Glasgow Warriors, McKenzie found himself without a professional club. He was to move to France where he joined CS Bourgoin-Jallieu. He was there from 1998 to 2000.[3]

He signed for Glasgow Warriors for the start of the 2000 - 01 season.[4] He made 3 appearances, scoring 129 points from three tries, 24 conversions, 20 penalties and two drop-goals.[3] Competitively, he played 8 matches scoring 97 points. McKenzie made his debut for Glasgow in a friendly playing the Pacific Coast Grizzlies.[5]

In late 2000 he asked to leave Glasgow so that he could return to France to be with his girlfriend.[3] He was unable to settle back in Scotland without her.[6] The Glasgow coach Richie Dixon stated: "Reluctantly, we agreed to let Mark go with effect from the New Year. Obviously we are very sorry to see such a talented player departing but we wish him well in the future." The Chief Executive David Jordan said: "There has been no acrimony over the parting of ways. Mark leaves us on good terms and we genuinely hope his career blossoms again. He is a very potent midfielder and I can see no reason why he should not be continuing to push for Scotland honours in the near future."[3]

Starting 2001, McKenzie secured a two and a half year deal with French side Nice.[3]

McKenzie also played in New Zealand.[7]

McKenzie came through the ages for Scotland. He played at Scotland U18,[7] Scotland U19[7] and then Scotland 'A'.[6][8][9]

He became a SRU Regional Academy coach[10][11]

He played for, then coached Falkirk RFC.[7][12] He won BT National League Division 4 Player of the Year in 2005[13] and helped take the Falkirk club back up through the divisions, winning five successive championships.[14] He mentored Finn Russell, Adam Ashe and Grant Gilchrist.[14]

In 2012, he was appointed St Aloysius College's new director of rugby.[2][15][16] He is also a Sports Performance consultant with ESP.[7]

References
  1. "The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search".
  2. "New role for McKenzie (From Herald Scotland)". heraldscotland.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  3. "Rugby: MARK LEAVES CALEY LOSERS IN LOVE; But McKenzie gets a Nice new deal".
  4. "McLaren moves to Glasgow". ESPN scrum.
  5. "McKenzie and Harrison to make Reds' debuts". ESPN scrum.
  6. Peter Donald (29 December 2000). "Unsettled McKenzie released from Caledonians contract". Telegraph.co.uk.
  7. "Mark McKenzie".
  8. John Nisbet at McDiarmid Park (22 September 2011). "Utterson guides Scotland to safety". The Independent.
  9. "BBC SPORT - RUGBY UNION - Scotland pushed all the way".
  10. "12 Young Rugby Stars Named In Scotland'S Youth Games Commonwealth Team".
  11. "Eddie Pollock Returns To Scottish Rugby".
  12. "Falkirk rugby coach steps to the sidelines".
  13. "Richard takes Premiership Player of the Year Award".
  14. "ESP CrossFit Seminar - Facebook".
  15. "Watson's on familiar ground for schools rugby final".
  16. "Defeated Dundee High drop down to shield competition".
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