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INTRODUCTION
The following report outlines the progress made on year 2 (season 07/08) of the Glasgow City regional development strategy. The report will highlight key successes and identify the challenges which lie ahead in the coming year.
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS
25% increase in adult playing numbers
93% increase in youth playing numbers
Appointment of Club Development Officer at Cartha QP, Hillhead/Jordanhill, Glasgow Hawks as well as Regional Development Officer covering Glasgow City
Cartha QP delivered an excellent community programme involving 42 primary schools and 4 secondary schools
Glasgow Hawks RFC delivered an excellent community programme involving 18 primary schools and 2 secondary schools
Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC delivered an excellent community programme involving over 22 primary schools and 4 secondary schools
Glasgow City Sevens Under 16 event took place involving 16 Clubs
Holiday camps held at Cartha QP, Hillhead/Jordanhill and Glasgow Hawks with over 330 attendances
SUMMARY OF PROGRESS 2007 - 08
At the end of an encouraging year for rugby in Glasgow City there has been a significant increase in 2 of the key target areas: the total number of adults playing rugby in the area has risen from 719 to 896 players, which equates to a 25% increase; the total number of young people playing contact rugby has risen from 698 to 1350, which is an increase of 93% (this total now includes school rugby which had been previously omitted).
Partnerships Developed
The partnership between Culture and Sport Glasgow, local clubs and Scottish Rugby has resulted in the appointment of Club Development Officers at Cartha QP and Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC.
Scottish Rugby’s partnership with Culture and Sport Glasgow funded the post Glasgow City Development Officer, the structure of development staff in the city is now used as an example of good practice across Scotland.
The Glasgow City Regional Development Group (established in 2006) continues to involve key partners in growing the game in the city.
Scottish Rugby entered into partnership with Glasgow Hawks and associate clubs & schools to appoint a Club Development Officer in June 2007.
Mascots
The SRU Mascot competition was a great success during the Autumn tests and Six Nations games. GHK won places for the South Africa game and Cartha won places for the France game. The mascots received free full Scotland kit, got to meet the top international players, walked out onto the park with the players & sang the Flower of Scotland on TV & in front of the packed crowd.
Area Specific Successes
The most notable development during this season has been the 93% increase in youth players, some of this success can be attributed to newly registered school players that were not accounted for in 06/07 figures.
A major success this year has been the community programmes delivered by Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC,
Cartha QP RFC and Glasgow Hawks RFC.
Over 82 primary schools have taken part in rugby club primary school development programmes this year.
13 secondary schools competed in local rugby competition in the city this year. (St Andrews Secondary took part in rugby competition for the first time.)
Another success in the City has been the development of the Glasgow City 7s. Around 1800
spectators watched the event this year and over 350 young players took part in related events in the week leading up to the adult sevens.
Challenges for next year
Next year will be the first full playing season and academic year that the new Glasgow Rugby Development structure will be in place. A key challenge is to grow the number of secondary schools playing full contact rugby in the city through the development of emerging rugby schools competition and the promotion of initiatives including Scottish Rugby’s Rugby Champions.
It is essential that we overcome the problem of decreasing adult numbers. One of the ways this will be achieved will be through the development of transitional rugby (i.e. U20 competition)
The development of Rugby as diversionary activity is one of the key challenges for rugby development in 08/09. It is essential to work closely with the Glasgow Community Safety Partnership to develop programmes of ‘street rugby’ across the city. This initiative will provide young people with opportunities to play rugby in their local communities.
PERFORMANCE
19 players involved in 12 training sessions and 3 games for Glasgow Wildcats U15 with 7 boys selected for Glasgow U15 Development Squad
15 players involved in 12 training sessions and 4 games for Glasgow Hurricanes U16 with 4 boys selected for Glasgow U16 Development Squad
11 Players from Glasgow City selected for Glasgow U17 Development Squads
15 Players from Glasgow City selected for Glasgow U18 Development Squads
9 women’s top 44 players from Glasgow City clubs
6 SWRU Academy players from Glasgow City clubs/schools
COACH DEVELOPMENT
23 coaches from Glasgow City area completed the UKCC Level 1 course
7 coaches attended local Foundation Coaching Qualifications
MATCH OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT
31 New Foundation Referees qualified
85 Level 1 from Schools & Clubs
22 Referees, 1 Touch Judge, 3 Referee Coaches registered with Referee Society
An average of 36 referee’s attended the weekly Tuesday Evening Referees Training sessions (TERTS)
WOMEN AND GIRLS DEVELOPMENT
Cartha QP affiliated and participated in National Development League, leading to promotion to National League for 08/09 season
Hillhead/Jordanhill full participation in SWRU Premier league and Cup competition
SWRU International Player of the year from Hillhead/Jordanhill - Heather Lockhart
Strathclyde Uni partial participation in National Development League
Glasgow Uni won SWRU HE/FE recruitment and retention competition and presented at SWRU AGM
Glasgow University full participation in SWRU National League
3 Girls development events (Glasgow and West of Scotland)
Hillhead/Jordanhill girls affiliated and participated in SWRU Youth Cup
CONCLUSION
Due to the excellent partnership working and input from all key stakeholders it has been a good year in terms of growing the game and meeting specific targets for the area. There are still many challenges ahead but I’m positive that with the foundations that have already been laid, and with the exciting new development structure in the city future targets are achievable and with all partners working together I look forward to another successful year.
I would like to thank you for your commitment and contribution to developing rugby in Glasgow over the past year.
Kenny Brown
Regional Development Manager Glasgow North
This article was posted on 17-Nov-2008, 15:55 by Hugh Barrow.
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