A big welcome to all Hawks Supporters, sponsors and guests for today’s Premier 1 league match against title contenders, Currie. A special welcome goes to Currie President, John Muir, coach, Ally Donaldson and their respective ‘teams’. Today’s match will be a tough one for us given Currie’s final push for the title and the fact that they are an excellent all-round side as was evidenced by our heavy defeat at Malleny Park earlier in the season. Their recent 16-13 defeat of nearest challengers Ayr means that they are now hot favourites for the title and (as this was written before Ayr’s match against Heriots last Thursday evening) they may even have secured the title. However given the fact that we are in a much better position , league wise, than we were at this stage in the past two seasons (where we were staring relegation in the face), and the fact that we are still in with a shout for a fourth place finish, then it is expected that a much closer contest will occur today.
 
Behind the scenes, the Board are busy in a number of areas and commercial manager, Zena Melki. Zena is at present implementing a new supporters and sponsors management system which will allow us to communicate more clearly, consistently and frequently to all our supporters and sponsors and this will ensure that everyone is kept up to date with news, events, community initiatives, sponsorship packages and of course matches. Zena will also be the contact point for all sponsors and she will be in regular contact with all existing and new sponsors.
 
In other projects, a complete overhaul of the Supporters’ Club is taking place so watch out for news of how we propose to operate this and a new Board structure is being worked on. This new structure will enable key projects to take place,  will ensure support for Zena’s activities and will also result in a  more effective running of the ‘business’ side of the club.
 
Our local community work continues at pace run by Development manager, Grant Talbot assisted by Director of Rugby, Peter Wright and several associate coaches. As well as supporting our three independent schools, extensive work is being done in the state sector with major rugby development programmes taking place in a total of 16 primary schools and 3 secondary schools in the Knightswood, Drumchapel, Yoker and Scotstoun areas of the North and West of Glasgow. Given the fact that these areas are traditionally ‘football country’ the community projects in these areas are long term development projects but already Grant and his team are making good progress in attracting more and more kids to the benefits of taking up rugby. To this end, the Glasgow Hawks Mini section is all set to be launched. There are enough kids now signed up to start the section and we await news of a ‘home’ (either Scotstoun or Drumchapel Park) .Watch this space.
 
 I am also pleased to announce that once again Hawks will be touring overseas, this time heading across the Atlantic in July 2011 to play a series of pre-season games in Canada. Graham Harkness is at present forming a tour committee and anyone wishing to attend the tour should speak to him in the first instance.
 
Also, don’t forget next Saturday’s Annual Dinner Dance in the Grosvenor Hotel at the top of Byres Road. It is looking like a sell out but there may be the odd place still available so speak to Chris Breckinridge ( 07976 564662 ) if you require any places. Chris will also be delighted to accept any raffle or auction items that you may have as part of your annual spring clean.
 
On a final note, can I thank all supporters, volunteers, players, coaches and sponsors for the support that you have given Hawks this season. We look forward to seeing and meeting you all again next August for hopefully another exciting campaign..
 
 
Enjoy today’s match.
 
 
Allan Mackintosh
Chairman.

This article was posted on 7-May-2010, 21:37 by Hugh Barrow.