Glasgow Hawks are set to get their Rugby Academy up and running after initial investigative work by Hawks’ Development Manager, Grant Talbot and Hawks’ Director of Development, Allan Mackintosh. The formation of The Academy is being assisted with sponsorship from The Bank of Ireland and Greenbelt Group Ltd and development assistance is being provided by TeamBuilders International Ltd.

Grant has been building the foundations of the Academy through the creation of a mid-week Development XV for 17-20 year olds and two matches have been played to date against Dalziel. With interest in playing the Development XV coming from other clubs in Scotland plus from clubs like Leicester Tigers, Grant has got the squad off to a good start. The plan is for the Development XV to be an integral part of the Hawks’ Rugby Academy whose aims will be to develop a range of skills in young players, including playing, refereeing and coaching performance enhancement. An important aspect of the Academy will also be to expose the participants to life and business skills through active participation in ‘rugby related’ business projects centred around the skills required to run an effective ‘sports’ business.

The targets for the Academy over the next here years are as follows:

SEASON 07-08
A foundation of young players will be built around a mid-week Development XV which will take part in up to six matches against similarly aged players from other clubs. These players will be aged between 17-20 and come in the first instance from our feeder schools and clubs with invitations to both Glasgow and Strathclyde University Rugby Clubs. Various skills sessions will be organised utilising Glasgow Hawks and Glasgow Warriors coaches and players.

SEASON 08-09
A full development programme will be designed and implemented covering player skill and fitness development alongside coaching and refereeing development. The players will also be introduced to the commercial aspects of Hawks by involving them in business projects. A set number of players will be induced into the programme and the programme will be a ‘pilot’ in this season. The Development Squad will play ten matches including a short tour.

SEASON 09-10
The Development Programme will expand and recruit up to 30 participants. We will look to have the programme accredited in some form and will be based on feedback from participants taking part in the previous season. The programme will be open to all players from all clubs providing players are released for midweek Development XV matches. Priority places will be given to players committing themselves to playing for Glasgow Hawks. The Development Squad will play 12 matches including a tour.

A regular update on progress will be put on this site.

More information can be got from Grant Talbot on 07825 181041 or Allan Mackintosh on 0776 416 8989.

This article was posted on 15-Jan-2008, 08:35 by Hugh Barrow.