Guest Speaker is Fraser Mackenzie

Our guest speaker was Fraser Mackenzie, a former Scotland under-20 captain who started his career at Dunfermline Rugby Club and later joined Edinburgh. He was called up to the senior Scotland squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship. 

Fraser was appointed club captain of Edinburgh in 2017.  Due to numerous shoulder injuries, Fraser announced his retirement in April 2021.

Fraser recently retired at age of 33, told our meeting that the Dunfermline Rugby Club youth system, brought discipline and structure to him. 

Rugby made a major impact in his life. Fraser progressed along the pathway system into Scottish U18. Captained the U18, U19s and was one of the youngest to ever play for Dunfermline first fifteen gaining valuable experience playing against men. 

Fraser had been included in Autumn test squads before moving to play for Sale. There he played 20 games before Christmas and was duly selected for the Scotland squad to play England in the Six Nations. Unrested in test week Fraser managed to dislocate his shoulder and never made that international achievement.

Fraser joined Newcastle coached by Dean Richards before moving back to Edinburgh. He admits his rugby life was coupled with the sacrifice for his wife’s career. Fraser captained Edinburgh and was a centurion. He warned that sport doesn’t last forever and taking his own advice moved into developing properties.

His health caught up with his rugby experiences and he went through 12 operations (inc 4 on his shoulder).  He has now been addressing Networking events and Ambassadorial roles.

A thoroughly appropriate vote of thanks was proposed by Greig Hill who claimed “I Kent you faither” and said how good to hear first hand, of Fraser’s achievements.”