THE HERALD REPORTS

There is a great danger of being trite when talking about the good that can come from horrible events, but it is always uplifting to see people respond positively to painful experiences.

The Scottish rugby community tends to be very good at it and, for example, it was warming at Burnbrae a couple of weeks ago to see young David Azhar watching the West of Scotland v Glasgow Hawks match with Sandy Carmichael, his fellow prop and a legend of the sport.

Unfortunately, some have seized upon the case of the 22-year-old, who broke his neck playing in an under-18 match against Sandy's club six years ago, to try to make political capital at the expense of the governing body. The reality is that, for all the fund-raising done, it is insurance and tax that should care for those injured in such incidents. What probably matters much more, in the sporting context, is the personal touch, which cannot be provided by institutions but by gentlemen like big Sandy, who has apparently become a close friend of David's in the intervening years.

Again recently, friends of Bruce Hay - like Sandy a British & Irish Lion - gathered at a dinner a few weeks ago. It was billed as a fund-raiser after the former international full-back underwent major surgery and doubtless the money helped, but talking to Bruce it was clear that what mattered to him most was that people cared.

In similar vein, then, the expectation is that the turnout at Old Anniesland for a friendly match tomorrow night at the end of the season that has seen Glasgow Hawks win the Scottish Cup will provide similar comfort to Di and John Hodgkinson.

They have created the Craig Hodgkinson Trust in memory of their son who, aged just 27, died earlier this season after suffering cardiac arrest while playing the sport he loved for the Royal Navy.

"Following Craig's death, we became aware of the number of healthy young people who die from cardiac-related problems each year in the UK, as many as six per week," explained John. "We intend to provide sports venues with defibrillators, which may save the lives of sports men and women who suffer an attack similar to that which took Craig.

"We wanted to celebrate Craig's life and felt the best way was to bring his rugby colleagues together to remember him - on the rugby field."

Since Craig was part of their team when they lifted the trophy just before he joined the Royal Marines in 2004 it is apt, then, that Hawks' first match since their latest cup triumph will see them face the Royal Navy (7.30pm). As well as raising funds, it is how people respond that will be telling.

As stated, thousands are expected to attend a night planned as a celebration of a fine life. There will be an array of funfair-style events as a prelude to the rugby, while the entertainment will include an appearance by the Regimental Band of the Royal Marines, supported by the High School of Glasgow Pipe Band. This is happening at a time when the Hawks club is placing renewed emphasis on reaching out into its local community. That, in its way, turns a tragedy into an opportunity.

Nor is that to suggest anything remotely opportunist, since Hodgkinson would surely be delighted that an event staged in his memory might help increase interest in a club he by all accounts loved playing for.

During the decade since their formation, Hawks have been Scotland's most successful on-field club, winning three national league titles and the cup three times. It is understandable that their focus, in effectively bringing two clubs - GHK and Glasgow Accies - together, has been in getting that side of things right.

Now, by giving more attention to club development they can further benefit themselves and the sport, and this match may help point the way forward.

In that regard, there may also be some pointers to be picked up on the other side of the Clyde Tunnel on Saturday. Cartha Queen's Park may be a relatively junior club in Premiership terms, newly-established in the second division as they are, but they have been Glasgow's market leaders for promoting rugby in the community.

Thousands of youngsters who might never have known about the sport have, thanks to Cartha, had the same opportunity to participate in and learn from it that Craig Hodgkinson so clearly relished.

The relationship Cartha have developed with the local council is demonstrated once more as mighty Sale Sharks are again the visitors to the third City of Glasgow Sevens tournament.

For those who appreciate all that rugby stands for, this promises to be a wonderful weekend in Glasgow.

12:01am Thursday 17th May 2007



By KEVIN FERRIE

This article was posted on 16-May-2007, 22:33 by Hugh Barrow.