Good morning all,
 
As you may have learned elsewhere I have accepted the invitation to take up the post of Chairman of Glasgow Hawks RFC. I regard this as an honour and a challenge and look forward to following in the footsteps of Brian Simmers and Tom Howie other Academicals who have held this responsibility.
 
To a certain extent it is a coming home for me as I was around when Hawks were formed in 1997 and was on the board for 4 years during a period when Hawks won 3 championships in a row and a Scottish cup.
 
Naturally I shall miss the regular contact with the Accies but hope that I can retain the good relationship between the Hawks and Glasgow Accies Rugby and help to build a powerful rugby presence across both Annieslands.
 
I have been particularly struck by the great work being done by Grant Talbot, Hawks Youth Development Officer and his team, in developing rugby across the West end of Glasgow particularly in schools where there has been no rugby presence. I shall do everything possible to ensure that this pioneering work continues and hopefully one day we shall see boys from these schools playing senior club rugby at Anniesland.
 
With Gordon Wilson and I both stepping back from the front-line at New Anniesland I am pleased to report that the Club will be in good hands under the new leadership of Gavin Smith and the team that he is gathering around him for next season.
 
With changes in the league structure still to be agreed the new season will bring new challenges but hopefully without the level of travelling incurred in the past few seasons. We have a young team and they are talented. With a little luck in avoiding injuries I am sure that they will be highly successful under the leadership of Head Coach Ewan Smith who has already made an impact since taking over the role.
 
Your support this season both in attendance at New Anniesland and financially has been greatly appreciated and hopefully you will continue to support rugby at New Anniesland in the same way next season.
 
I have greatly enjoyed being your correspondent over the last few years and I am grateful for all your generous comments that have given me the encouragement to continue. I am sure that Gavin Smith will find a scribe to take my place as I am aware that you like to hear on a weekly basis how the team is performing.
 
My new challenge is a big one, it is quite a daunting thought having responsibility for one of the top Club teams in Scotland. I am, however, encouraged by the size and quality of the team of volunteers I shall have around me and hopefully together we can drive Glasgow Hawks back to the top of Scottish rugby. If Accies are away from home and Hawks are playing at Old Anniesland please come and watch us. Premier 1 rugby in Scotland is fast and exciting and Hawks pay an expansive form of the game that is great to watch.
 
Have a wonderful summer and thank you for your support.
 

Alasdair Graham

This article was posted on 28-Apr-2011, 06:49 by Hugh Barrow.