WELCOME

Good afternoon everyone and once again welcome to Old Anniesland for this vital SHE Premiership Division 1 game against Ayr. Ayr have had a flying start to the season and sit proudly at the top of the league with nine wins from ten games, their only defeat coming at Selkirk. They were also awarded Club of the Month for September which is appropriate recognition for their start to the league campaign. As such I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Ayr players, President Billy McHarg and the many Ayr supporters who have made the journey up the M77.

Historically, Hawks v Ayr games have always be tough, physical and uncompromising and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to a similar type of game today.

Across at New Anniesland, the 2nd XV fixture between the two clubs kicks off at 12:00 PM in order to allow both sets of players the opportunity to watch the 1st XV fixture at 2:00 PM. The 2s haven’t had a great set of results over the last couple of weeks, but with numbers at training continuing to impress I am sure the hard work being put in by Mike Blackie, Cammy Little and the players will begin to get the results they deserve.

After the game, Scotland takes on the All Black’s at Murrayfield – kick-off 5:15 PM. I would like to encourage as many of you as possible to hang around and watch the game at either our New or Old Anniesland clubhouses. With former player Euan Murray back at tight-head for the game, everyone at Hawks has reason to cheer on Scotland for what is a vital game in terms of RWC qualification. Coaches Corner explains what is at stake.

Lest we Forget
Those of you who regularly look at our website (and there are a lot of you with www.glasgowhawks.com averaging 450-500 visits a day!) will have seen Hugh Barrow’s moving piece on former Anniesland rugby players who lost their lives in the First World War. With Remembrance Sunday tomorrow, please also take a minute to remember our good friend Craig Hodgkinson who passed away two years ago yesterday (Nov 7), whilst playing rugby for the Royal Navy, and who would have been 30 today.

Craig is undoubtedly missed by everyone at Old Anniesland but today The Craig Hodgkinson Trust fund has raised enough money to acquire approximately 60 defibrillators which will be donated to various rugby clubs across Scotland. Craig’s dad, John, continues to look for donations so please contact the Hawks office of you would like more information.

In addition, since Craig’s memorial match against the Royal Navy on Friday, May 18 2007, Hawks has forged a strong partnership with them and they are now a major sponsor of Hawks rugby and it is hoped that when we play West in two weeks time, the Royal Navy will fly in the Hawks Junior Rugby jersey (newly branded with Royal Navy logo) by RAF Gannett Sea King helicopter and present the jersey to some of the Junior Rugby at half-time.

I know that Craig would be willing both Hawks and GHK 1st and 2nd XVs to victories today.

Today’s Sponsors
Today’s Match Sponsor is Keppie Design who has been long-standing supporters of Hawks and we are extremely grateful for their continued support.

The Ball Sponsor is Greens Health and Fitness club who continue to offer our players and supporters an excellent discounted membership. Please check out our Supporters page on the club website.

Hawks Business Network
On Thursday, December 11, Glasgow Hawks will be launching the Hawks Business Network (HBN) programme. The objective of the new HBN is to allow current and future club sponsors, advertisers and partners the opportunity to meet each other in an informal environment and exchange contacts and ideas with one another.

HBN meetings will run on the last Thursday of every month while there will also be opportunities to meet on match day as well. If anyone is interested in joining the Hawks Business Network or learning more about it, please contact me at [email protected].

Youth Development and Hawks Junior Rugby Programme
As ever, please see Grant Talbot’s Junior Rugby update on page 18. There you will find a profile of a stalwart Hawk, Greg “Franco” Francis.

Finally…the boys did it!
Many congratulations to Ricky Munday and Ally Maclay for completing their African three peak challenge by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro on 2nd November. The boys are currently on R&R on the Indian Ocean having gone straight from Mount Kenya to Kili and then straight to Mombasa to celebrate! Once a Hawk, always a Hawk.

Next home games
Friday, November 21 – KO 7:30 PM
1st XV Old Anniesland West of Scotland FC
(Special guest appearance by the High School of Glasgow’s Pipe Band so come along, join in the fun and get behind the Hawks!)

Saturday, November 22 – KO 2:00 PM
2nd XV New Anniesland West of Scotland FC

Kenny Baillie
Chief Executive
08.11.2008

This article was posted on 8-Nov-2008, 11:44 by Hugh Barrow.