Glasgow Academical Club

Russell Andrew Trophy




The Russell Andrew Trophy was presented to the Club in 1980 in memory of Russell Andrew who was regarded by his contemporaries as the finest all round sportsman of his generation as he excelled in athletics, cricket, golf, tennis but mainly in rugby. Over the intervening years the trophy has been presented to Academicals who have represented Scotland in their chosen sport or made a major contribution to Academical Sport over a number of years.

On Sunday 18th May Club President Wallace Mitchell was pleased to present it to Jonnie Beattie to recognise his full international caps and his selection to tour Argentina with Scotland in June.

The presentation took place at a Dinner in the Clubhouse to mark the 30th anniversary of the formation of Mini Rugby at New Anniesland.

Jonnie Beattie and his Father John Beattie spoke to 62 fathers and boys of the part that rugby played in their lives and they were pleased that mini rugby was continuing and being successful. The theme seemed to be that rugby was a game for life and those who played it would be welcome in any rugby clubhouse in the world.

Jonnie Beattie is the first former Accies mini player to have been capped for Scotland in the professional era.

Earlier in the evening Alasdair Graham, one of the founding members of the mini section, said a little about the early years and was pleased to note that the end of season Dinner for boys graduating from mini rugby to midi rugby had been re-established.

Stuart Neilson, the current Chairman, of mini rugby reported on a highly successful season that had culminated in a tour to Malone RFC in Belfast to take part in their annual tournament. Ross Swanson of Primary 7 proposed the vote of thanks and James Mortimer of P7 said grace in verse.

After Dinner prizes were awarded to Angus Neilson as the outstanding player in the P7 group and to Calum Tilston, as the most improved player of the year.



In the Primary 5 Group the player of the year was William Prentice and the most improved player Ryan Sweeney.

At the end of the Dinner John and Jonnie Beattie played rounders with the boys to complete a highly enjoyable evening.

This article was posted on 21-May-2008, 09:04 by Hugh Barrow.