Good morning all,
You may have noticed that you have not been receiving your weekly diet of Accies Rugby News. This has been due to my absence on holiday overseas. Sadly in this period Accies have lost all three games played. These game have all been away from home and it much harder to win the away games than those at home.
There are many reasons but the main ones are due to injury and unavailability. Due the inclement weather earlier in the year the season is dragging on and will go to the last week in April. Accies are secure in the middle of the table so there should be no danger of relegation and with the likelihood of league reorganisation next season now is the time for planning the future.
The good news is that the 2nd XV under the dedicated management of Nigel Campbell won both their games while I was away and now lie 4th in their league. This is a really good effort as they were promoted to this league only last season.
This Saturday 12th April the 1st XV are playing Highland at New Anniesland at 2-00pm. Please note the earlier kick off. This is to help Highland with their travelling arrangements. Hopefully you will come out and support the team and stay out and watch the 6 Nations games on the Clubhouse TV.
If you have been following the Accies or Hawks website you will be aware that John Beattie has had to step down as Head Coach due to his increasing business commitments. We thank him for passing on his invaluable experience and wish him success for the future. Ewan Smith formerly of West of Scotland has taken on the role of Head Coach and he will be assisted by our weight conditioning guru Duncan Beattie.
For the last 6 months a sub committee of the SRU has been looking into the reorganisation of the National Leagues. This follows the review of the premier Leagues that came into effect at the start of this season. The primary objective is to reduce the amount of travelling involved for Clubs with limited financial resources. This will also assist with player recruitment as many young players have work, family and study commitments that do not allow them to go to all the long distance away games.
All 36 National League teams were consulted and numerous meeting have taken place. In the end a ballot was taken and all Clubs responded. It resulted in an almost 3:1 decision in favour of one solution. This solution will split the country into three geographical areas, West, East & Borders and Highlands & Midlands. A resolution to this effect will go before the SRU AGM in June and there seems to be every hope of success as it will be supported by the Union.
Unfortunately there are a few Clubs that are unhappy with the resolution and do not seem to be prepared to accept the democratic decision of the majority. This means that the exercise is not complete and these Clubs will have to be persuaded to come into line as an unanimous decision would be better for future relationships.
If the proposal goes ahead Accies would be in a ten team league with three teams from National 1 namely: East Kilbride, Irvine and Garnock, six teams from National 2, Stewartry, Newton Stewart, Annan, Kilmarnock, Allan Glens, Waysiders and ourselves. It is possible that one or two teams may be relegated from this group and be replaced by sides from National 3. The most likely candidates at this stage of the season being Marr and GHK. The net result will be a considerable reduction in the travel budget with coaches only being required to visit Clubs in South West Scotland.
In some ways it will be sad to lose contacts with the Highland teams as we have built up good relations with the like of Caithness, Highland and Aberdeenshire.
I shall keep you in touch with further developments as they happen.
There are 6 remaining fixtures 3 at Anniesland, Highland, Berwick and Stewartry and 3 away games at Allan Glens, next Saturday, Aberdeenshire and Waysiders/Drumpellier. Please continue to give us your support

Alasdair Graham

This article was originally posted on 10-Mar-2011, 10:37 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 10-Mar-2011, 10:45.