Backwards or Forwards?
Posted by Editor on August 29, 2006 04:37 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author
The decision at the SRU AGM in June to revert to a 12 team league next season seems extraordinary to me.

Even by the standards of our tortured recent past this is a new innovation – the clubs reversed a decision taken a year ago without having the chance to assess its worth.

In addition there has been a decision taken by Glasgow and Borders that no pro players will play in the Premier league. I suppose this makes things less complicated for all as we do not have to accommodate returning players, nor will we have complaints about club A getting lots of pro player benefit while club B gets none. However 2 issues to ponder.

The club that had most players released to them last season was Stew/ Mel who were relegated. The club that had fewest players released was Watsonians who finished 2nd and won the cup.

Edinburgh, now in new ownership, have made all the right overtures about "building bridges and engaging with clubs". However, they have effectively been denied the opportunity to strengthen those links with player release by this decision. Equally, their squad players who do not get regular rugby will be frustrated and any player on rehab from injury will not have the chance to play their way back in through a club match.

Yes – managing player movement can be difficult and a bit tense at times. But just because it is hard that does not seem to be reason not to do it.

Rugby Development and Contributing to the Community

The draft strategy for the development of rugby in Glasgow shows that 35% of the adult playing population of the city play at Anniesland. That is the combined effort of Hawks and its two founding clubs Accies and GHK.

In addition we support 55% of the youth rugby in the city through the Anniesland clubs (though I am sure there is a cross-over with the schools here). The army of volunteers that support all of this deserve huge praise and thanks.

Of course there is always more that we can do and it is hoped that we can build on this and develop even stronger links with all of the schools in the area.

On that front we will be distributing a new Hawks poster to schools and the mini and youth sections. We will also have a return visit from Hyndland Primary for the match on 7th October against Currie with more to follow.

The New Season – The New Squad

Coaches Davey Wilson and Davy Cockburn have done a terrific job in welding together a new Hawks squad in just a few weeks. With the huge turnover in players since last season I think many appreciated the promising signs that were then when we led Heriots for an hour. A man short in the dying period made a huge difference with the defence becoming stretched repeatedly in the last few minutes.

It is a steep learning curve for many but I think we will se a very competitive Hawks squad again this season.

This article was posted on 30-Aug-2006, 12:16 by Hugh Barrow.