A regular programme feature that keeps you up to date with rugby and club issues and news by Kenny Hamilton.

(These may be the views of Glasgow Hawks)


Hawks 10th Anniversary Dinner to be held at Anniesland on Saturday 9th February – Dave Millard for details. (07791 742 634)

Welcome to Koonty
Stirling County is one of the most admired clubs in the country with a strong commitment to youth development and strong community links. Last time we met at Stirling Hawks squeezed out a 1 point victory. Either team would happily accept that today. A warm welcome to players coaches supporters and committee buffties from Stirling.


Last 2 Weeks

2 weeks ago we were away to Edinburgh Accies and following encouraging performances against B’muir and Melrose hopes were high. But a sub-par performance that day gave Accies a deserved victory. Last week against Dundee, although not performing in top gear, the Hawks side showed great character to turn round a 10 point deficit to the narrowest of wins. Hawks go into today’s match with a few injury worries, particularly around the 2nd row area but will hope to make their running power tell.


Scotland Under 20s

Congratulations to Gary Strain and Ruiridh Jackson on selection in the Scotland Under 20s squad. Congratulations also to Ruiridh on his performances in the Scotland 7s team – a couple of lung-bursting 70 metre runs for tries looked good on the telly.


The Secret Scottish Rugby Strategy

The SRU has, apparently, produced a 5 year strategy setting out the future direction for the game – but the problem is you can’t get a copy of it until January. In what I can only describe as a serious error of judgement the SRU has agreed to publish a set of ambitious targets via the press but has not seen fit to engage with its major stakeholders and, presumably the bodies expected to deliver against these targets, in agreeing the content – i.e. the clubs.

They are now undertaking a series of ‘communication meetings’ with clubs across the country to explain the targets. (The Glasgow presentation was Wednesday evening).

I have no problem with ambitious targets and would expect Hawks and all of the rugby concerns at Anniesland to work towards these. But what are they based on? How realistic are they? How are they to be achieved?

As I say, we have not seen the document so there may be perfectly sound research behind the numbers but on the face of it they seem a bit over-optimistic to me. To illustrate:

A growth in adult participation of 35% and youth participation of 38% in 5 years.
Nice idea, but Sportscotland estimate growth in sporting club participation of 2-4% per annum.

Find an additional 8,000 volunteers to run teams, clubs etc.
Also a good idea but Sportscotland report a 5% increase in volunteer activity around sports organisations in the past year. If we assume that there are, say 10,000 volunteers in rugby (i.e. more volunteers than adult players!) then based on the 5% figure we could, optimistically see an increase of 2,500 in 5 years, A bit short of the 8,000.

I could, of course be being very unfair and the strategy may demonstrate that the targets are achievable and illustrate the means of getting there. So we look forward to the New Year with great anticipation when we will be allowed to read the document.


Season’s Greetings

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all sponsors, supporters, players, and everybody who makes a contribution to Hawks. Thanks for your contribution in 2007. We look forward to a rewarding 2008.

This article was posted on 13-Dec-2007, 09:06 by Hugh Barrow.