Robert Gordon's College is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Mr Riddle as the College's new Head of Rugby Performance, a newly created role designed to enhance the RGC Sport programme and support the delivery of the College's ambitious new Vision for Sport.

The appointment comes at an important time for RGC Sport, following the restructuring of the conference fixtures system by Scottish Rugby. The new position has been established to ensure that RGC Rugby is well placed to compete at the highest level and continue to provide exceptional opportunities for pupil development and performance.

A former Robert Gordon's College pupil and member of the Class of 2018, Mr Riddle returned to the College in 2019 and has since worked across a range of age groups and coaching roles within the rugby programme, most recently leading the 1st XV to consecutive Finals Day victories at Murrayfield. In addition to his work at RGC, Mr Riddle serves as an Assistant Coach within the U17/U18 Caledonia and Glasgow Warriors pathway programmes and previously held the role of Head Coach at Gordonians RFC during their 2025/26 National League 1 campaign. With extensive experience in player development, performance analysis and high-performance rugby environments, he brings a strong track record of helping young athletes maximise their potential and achieve success both on and off the field.

As Head of Rugby Performance, Mr Riddle will lead and develop the College's rugby performance programme, with a particular focus on the U15, U16 and U18 age groups. Working closely with Mr McKay, Head of Rugby, and Mr Gracie, Athletic Development Coach, he will oversee key aspects of the performance pathway, including video analysis, strength and conditioning, pre-season preparation, tours, player development programmes and curriculum integration.

Mr Riddle joins a growing team of specialist sports leaders and coaches who are responsible for delivering sport across the College. He brings a wealth of expertise, energy and ambition to the role, and his leadership will help ensure the programme is further strengthened to compete at the highest level. His appointment reflects RGC's strategic commitment to providing a competitive, high-quality national sports programme that supports pupils at every stage of their sporting journey. The role will play a pivotal part in ensuring that all elements of the pathway are delivered to the highest possible standard, supporting both individual player development and team success. 

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Riddle said: "I am honoured to take on the role of Head of Rugby Performance and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. RGC has a strong rugby culture and a talented group of young players. This is an exciting chance to build on the success of the past two seasons and continue to develop an environment where every player can thrive. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the RGC Sport programmes to further enhance our performance environment, support player development and help our teams achieve success both on and off the field. I am passionate about helping young people realise their potential, both as rugby players and as individuals, and look forward to working closely with players, staff and parents to foster a culture of excellence, enjoyment and continuous improvement.”