PERSEVERANCE has paid off for Cammy Hutchison, who at the age of 23 has signed his first professional contract with Edinburgh. 

An international at age-group level, Hutchison has had to take a circuitous route to securing a place in Richard Cockerill’s squad, having played in France before joining Heriot’s for the inaugural Super6 season in 2019-20. The terms of the centre’s new deal means he will still be available to the Goldenacre club when not required by Edinburgh, but Cockerill was impressed by his try-scoring debut against Ulster earlier this month and thinks he has the potential to continue his progress.

“We’re really pleased to offer Cammy his first professional contract,” the head coach said yesterday. “He's shown a lot of grit and determination to force his way into contention and we were delighted with how he performed and took his opportunity once he got out on the pitch.

“He’s a great example of how the system can recognise and reward promising players who have the talent but also the desire to pursue a dream with his local team. Hopefully he’ll use this first pro deal as another springboard to kick on once more.”

Hutchison’s initial plan had been to break into the pro ranks sooner, but he appears determined to seize his chance now it has been offered. “I’m delighted,” he said. “It’s been a long road for me to get to this point so I feel very fortunate, lucky and really grateful for the support network that’s helped me over the past few years in particular.

“This is now the starting point. It’s come later than I probably would have hoped and planned when I was leaving school and going through Scotland U20, but I feel I’ve had the full experience of what ‘going through the system’ really means.

“Now I’m in the pro environment, this is where the hard work really begins. It’s the start of my career in a sense and I’m really looking forward to getting into it.”