ACCIES RUGBY NEWS
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of what we hope will be a monthly publication that provides information on Accies Rugby activities. We welcome any comments, suggestions or reports of past or forthcoming activities.

The new season commences today with a league game against Highland. They are always highly competitive opponents and will surely be one of the teams striving for promotion. Last season the honours were shared. Accies won the first game at Anniesland by 25-20 and Highland won the game at Inverness by 19-12.


Highland have lost their Scotland Under 19 scrum half of last season, Patrick Boyer, to Hawks. Paddy has come down to Glasgow for a four year University course. We wish him every success with our associate Club.

Glasgow Academical Club Presidents Message
The rugby environment facing Glasgow Accies at the start of this season 2008-2009 is markedly different to the environment of 1997 when the sport first went open and hugely different when Accies last won the championship in the mid 1950�s.


The ambitions and aspirations of young players nowadays varies from those talented individuals who are seeking not just international recognition but also professional contracts to those that wish to play serious club rugby at a high level whilst pursuing other outside career interests to those that simply want to embrace social rugby.


In this regard I feel that the relationship between Accies and the new set up at Glasgow Hawks is critical to allowing us to offer a range of rugby options to those coming to New Anniesland and central to this is a sound working arrangement between Accies Director of Rugby, Donald Reid, and the newly appointed Director of Rugby at Hawks former British Lion Peter Wright.


The rugby relationship also has to extend to the physical education staff at Glasgow Academy in order to map out a pathway for young players coming out of school. We have to recognise with many ex pupils going away to University this may not always be possible and we also have to be prepared to work with the staff of the Scottish Rugby Union who operate the �Sports Institute and Academy� programmes for nurturing talented youngsters.


With all this in mind I am committed during my term in office to do all I can to make the relationship between Accies and Hawks work to our mutual benefit and this work is already underway with our Rugby Chairman Gordon Wilson joining the Hawks Management team.


This year some may note with a degree of surprise that the Glasgow Academical Club Dinner is being held at Hampden Park on 7th November, hopefully this will let us explore a chapter of Academical history that is not recorded in the Academical history.


Good luck to Jamie Doig and the Accies squad as they aim to win the National Division 2 Championship.

Hugh Barrow President.

Tribute to Gordon Mackay
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Gordon Mackay on 24th July at the incredibly early age of 39. The charismatic Gordon was a big man by any standard. He had a massive personality that you could not ignore. He was full of enthusiasm for life and he ensured that everyone around him was imbued with the same enthusiasm. He was a natural leader of men whether on the field or off it. His exploits are many and are sure to become part of the folklore of Accies Rugby.


He returned to the Club at the start of this year, just in time to save us from relegation. He prepared the side for this years� campaign and we all hope that the work that he put in pre-season will pay off and that Accies achieve his goal to gain promotion from National League Division 2.

Our deepest sympathy goes to his wife Renee and his sons Sandy and Archie and to his highly supportive parents Andy and Margaret.

The massive turnout at his funeral was a tribute in respect of the esteem and popularity in which he was held. The post funeral reception in the Clubhouse proved to be the largest gathering for many years.

Social & Personal
Births: On 25th July to Stuart and Louise Wilson a girl, Scarlett Grace. A granddaughter for our Chairman Gordon Wilson and his wife Barbara.

Engagements: On 31st December 2007 Alan Wilson to Yvonne Gill. The marriage is planned for early July 2009.

On 28th December 2007, Matt Smith to Sally Thomson. The marriage is planned for early May 2009.

We offer our very best wishes to both couples.

Birthdays: Congratulations to Tom Howie who will be 70 on 10th September. Tom was Chairman of Glasgow Hawks in the years that they won the first division championship.
New Captain
Jamie Doig is our new captain for the season. He joined the Club in season 2003-2004 and has been a regular 1st XV member since. He normally plays in the centre but has played stand off on occasions.

Before joining Accies he played in Aberdeen for several seasons while he was at University. He completed a Bsc degree in Marine Management followed by an Msc in Marine Engineering.


During his time in Aberdeen he played for Grammar, Gordonians and Aberdeen University.

His early rugby education was at Glasgow Academy where he played for the First XV in his 6th year. He started mini rugby with Accies at the age of 7 and was coached by Iain Smith and Ronnie Graham.

Jamie will be 28 years of age later this month. He has two younger sisters

He now lives on the Southside of the city and runs his own company Doig Developments Ltd

Rugby Committee 2009-2009
Chairman Gordon Wilson

Tel. Home 01505 872753

Mobile 07971 201122

Email: [email protected]

Director of Rugby Donald Reid

Tel. Home 0141 563 7803

Mobile 07956 137774

Email: [email protected]

Secretary Alasdair Graham

Tel. Home 0141 616 4056

Mobile 0774 0777498

Email: [email protected]

1st XV Coach Chas Afuakwah

Mobile 07831 534645

Email: [email protected]

1st XV Captain Jamie Doig

Mobile 07894 873711

Email: [email protected]

2nd XV Coach Nigel Campbell

Mobile 07917 120372

Email: [email protected]

Communications Rep Stuart Wilson

Tel. Home 01505 850436

Mobile 07951 168723

Email: [email protected]

New Faces
Ryan Moseby is a New Zealander from Gore in Southland. He plays Centre/Wing and is 24 years old.

Cruz Kawakameni joined us from Allan Glens at the end of last season. When we played Allan Glens in March in a relegation decider he had an outstanding game. He is an excellent ball carrier and devastating tackler. He is originally from Cameroon.

Returning Faces
In today�s team we are delighted to welcome Richard McKnight and Stuart Smith back from Hawks. We are especially pleased that Richard has recovered from the tropical illness that kept him out of the game for the whole of last season.


Stuart is settling into a new job and does not have sufficient time for the rigours of Premier 1 rugby. They are both welcome additions to our growing squad.

Matt Smith has also returned to the Club following a spell playing with Watsonians and Hawks. He is unavailable today but hopes to play next week against Greenock Wanderers. It is hoped that the return of these three highly experienced players will help to bring the best out of the younger talented player at New Anniesland.

Clubhouse Refurbishment
During the summer the clubhouse has been modernised. New double-glazing, ceilings and lighting have been installed in the main pavilion. The ladies toilet has been revamped, new flooring has been laid throughout the changing areas and the medical room has been modernised. You will also note the new tarmac along the front of the stand and extra floodlighting on the training pitches. We are grateful to the school for organising these changes. The clubhouse is now looking quite smart.

It is available for private functions and ideal for 18th, 21st, 40th birthday parties, dinners, social functions and even weddings. Anyone interested you should contact our Club Steward Ken Barron on 07939 551587.

Lunch at Home Matches
On the Saturday of home matches lunch will be available for all supporters without prior booking. For games commencing at 3pm lunch will commence at 1pm and for games commencing at 2pm lunch will be available from 12 noon.

Social Activities Programme
Sat Oct 18th Pre match lunch at 1pm (Booking Essential)

Accies play Whitecraigs at 3pm

Sat Nov 1st Sponsors Lunch by Invitation 12noon

Accies play Newton Stewart at 2pm

Fri Nov 7th Glasgow Academical Club Dinner at Hampden Park

Sat Dec 13th Glasgow Accies Rugby Family Christmas Lunch (all ages)

12 noon sharp. Accies play Forrester at 2pm

Fri Dec 26th Boxing Day Family Lunch 12 noon

Accies play Accies Exiles at 2pm

Main Sponsor
The Club greatly appreciates the generous and continuing support of Brian Gibson of Gibson Investments who is our major sponsor for the 2nd year running.

Sponsors
The Rugby Club is greatly indebted to the generosity of the following sponsors.

Scot JCB
anCnoc
Allan Interiors
Graham Technology board sponsor
Lexus board sponsor
PRG Recruitment board sponsor
John Watson of John Watson Printers
Niall Campbell


We are still looking for match ball sponsors for home games and sponsors to choose the Accies man of the match. These sponsorships cost �50 each.

Match Day Sponsors
Please help the Club if you can. We are still seeking financial support for each Home match.

Pick the anCnoc Accies Man of the Match - �40.00
Home Match sponsor - �50.00 per game
Ball Sponsor - �30.00 per game
Buy all 3 for only �100.00 and have Club lunch hospitality on the day.


Boxing Day Match - �200.00 which includes Lunch Hospitality for 6 persons.

If you wish to assist us in this way please speak to Gordon Wilson on 01505 872753

Player Sponsors
We are delighted to welcome our sponsor members to today�s game and extremely grateful for their continued generosity. Sponsor members each sponsor one of the first team squad. At the same time each player is encouraged to find his own sponsor. The money that comes from this arrangement is used for the team�s general running expenses such as cost of coach travel to away games and medical costs.

Sponsor members are entitled to free entry to all home games except cup-ties and afternoon tea after all home games.


We are indebted to the following members who are sponsoring players this season:

Alan Smith John McFarlane Alasdair Graham Bernard Hermes

Cameron Macgregor Kenneth Sandford Colin Guthrie Colin Atkinson

Alastair Headrick Andrew Howie Alastair Lockhart Tom Howie

Peter Jensen John Carruthers Brian Lockhart Hugh Barrow

Neil Maclean Jimmy Watt Drew Aitken Ken Waine

Iain Jarvie Lindsay Crawford

If you are interested in sponsoring a player please contact Alasdair Graham on 0141 616 4056 or send an email to [email protected]

Mini Rugby
Resumes at 10-30 tomorrow morning. All boys in Primary 4-7 will be welcome.

For further information you should contact the Mini Rugby Convenor Stuart Neilson on 0141 567 9432 or 07771 845104

Midi Rugby
This year Accies and GHK have combined under the umbrella of Glasgow Hawks. All first year boys will be welcome to attend the training sessions, which will take place at commencing 10-30am. For further information contact

Fixture List
Fixture cards containing details of all Accies, GHK, Hawks and Glasgow Academy matches will be issued to all players and non-playing members within the next few days. If you are not a non-playing member of the Club fixture cards can be obtained for a small donation from the Bar Steward or the Secretary Alasdair Graham.


Glasgow Accies 1st XV SHE National League Division 2

30 Aug Highland Home

06 Sept Greenock Wanderers Away

13 Sept Hillfoots Home

20 Sept Forrester Away

27 Sept Stewartry Home

04 Oct Linlithgow Away

11 Oct Hawick YM Away

18 Oct Whitecraigs Home

25 Oct Caithness Away

01 Nov Newton Stewart Home

08 Nov Kilmarnock Away

15 Nov

22 Nov Highland Away

29 Nov Greenock Wanderers Home

06 Dec Hillfoots Away

13 Dec Linlithgow Home

20 Dec Cup Tie

26 Dec Accies Exiles Home

The fixtures for the second half of the season will appear in another edition of Accies News.

Other Interesting Matters
On checking the rugby result from 50 years ago it is interesting to note that the season started one month later than now. It was quite normal for professional people to take either the month of July or August for their holidays. Pre-season rarely started before the beginning of August. The SRU did not give permission for Club games to be played before the 1st of September and 7 a-sides were played in April. The first match for season 1958-59 was due to be played on 28th September against Hutcheson�s Grammar School FP at Auldhouse but it was cancelled. There is no report in the Chronicle as to the reason for the cancellation. Perhaps it was due to a summer like this year and the pitch was unplayable. In those days Auldhouse was notoriously wet. If you can throw any light on this please let us know.


The first match was played on 5th October when west of Scotland were defeated 11-0 at New Anniesland. On this thought good luck to Hawks who are playing west today at Burnbrae.

Late News from the Beijing Olympics 2008
We are delighted to report that Laura Bartlett gained GB caps in Beijing when she played against the China, USA & Australia.

Laura spent her entire schooling at Glasgow Academy and left in 2006. She is 20 years of age and gained full Scottish honours last season. Her twin sister Kay has also been capped for Scotland at age group levels.

This article was posted on 27-Aug-2008, 06:49 by Hugh Barrow.