The First XV boys enjoyed a coaching session run by Merchistonian Cameron Johnston, on Tuesday 19 February. Cameron left Merchiston in 2004 and since then has been studying and playing rugby in Newcastle. He has played for Scotland Under 21 and Sevens teams, as well as being in the Newcastle Falcons team which won the Melrose Sevens in 2006. On October 27 last year he was playing for Blaydon in National League Two when an illegal spear tackle left him with a compression of the spine and a triple fracture to his eighth thoracic vertebrae, which is square in the middle of the back.
After three weeks in hospital he amazingly returned to his Mum's in St Andrews, complete with a large metallic body brace which prevents him from turning and twisting. He has been along to support Merchiston on several occasions, including their cup matches. Cameron said "It was the single most painful thing that has ever happened to me, I knew as I hit the deck something was wrong. I just did not know how severe. It puts a lot of things into perspective and re-evaluating your life at 21 is not what you want to be doing. What plans and direction I had have been blown apart. I have gone from training twice a day, working and attending university to nothing. I have had to put my degree on hold and the most mundane tasks became a challenge. I will bounce back and view everything as an opportunity.
After three weeks in hospital he amazingly returned to his Mum's in St Andrews, complete with a large metallic body brace which prevents him from turning and twisting. He has been along to support Merchiston on several occasions, including their cup matches. Cameron said "It was the single most painful thing that has ever happened to me, I knew as I hit the deck something was wrong. I just did not know how severe. It puts a lot of things into perspective and re-evaluating your life at 21 is not what you want to be doing. What plans and direction I had have been blown apart. I have gone from training twice a day, working and attending university to nothing. I have had to put my degree on hold and the most mundane tasks became a challenge. I will bounce back and view everything as an opportunity. 