Welcome to the first edition on the Hawks Newsletter for Season 2022-2023.
Hopefully you have had an enjoyable summer and now looking forward to the new rugby season.
The first match takes place on Saturday 27 August when, newly promoted, Heriot’s Rugby are the visitors at Balgray. Kick-off 3.00pm. The full fixture list for 1st XV & 2nd XV for the season can be found by keying Glasgow Hawks Fixtures into your search engine.
A lot has happened at Hawks since the last edition, most of it off field, and largely unreported.
About 15 players have left the Club due to retirement, travelling, returning overseas or being signed on by Super 6 franchises but the good news is that, due to the sterling efforts of our Head Coach and the coaching team, they have all been replaced by players coming to Glasgow, school leavers and players coming to work or study, who know that Hawks have an excellent reputation for developing players and helping them to reach the highest level of their potential.
This was clearly demonstrated when 5 of last year’s 1st XV were selected for the Scotland Under 20 squad for their summer visit to Italy.
The Club was greatly honoured when 6 former Hawks were selected for Scotland’s tour to Chile and Argentina:
Ross Thomson - Joined Hawks straight from Stewarts Melville and played for Hawks for two seasons
George Horne –Joined Hawks from Howe of Fife and also played for Hawks for two years
Zander & Matt Fagerson- joined Hawks from Strathallan School, and in the case of the former, played for Hawks for 2 years before being signed by Warriors. Matt played for Hawks for a single season before signing as a professional with Glasgow Warriors.

Scott Cumming
The product of Kelvinside Academy played for Hawks for one year before signing for Warriors
At Kelvinside Academy he played alongside Andrew Davidson who is now playing for Gloucester.
Kyle Rowe
Attended Queen Victoria School Dunblane and had a season with Falkirk before joining Hawks for a year before becoming a fixture in the Scottish 7 a-side squad. Recruited by Edinburgh where he gained very little game time before moving to London Irish where he has been outstanding. Sadly he was injured after coming on as a replacement during the 2nd Test in Argentina.
Isn’t it remarkable that 5 players from one club should be on the field at a recent international despite the Premiership being described as not fit for purpose?
All commenced their senior rugby with Hawks before moving on to the professional game and international honours, but this fact is rarely mentioned by the media, I wonder why?

On the same weekend five young Hawks were in Italy with the Scottish Under 20 side in the ill-fitted summer tournament that clearly demonstrated that the development side of the Scottish game needs a radical re-think before it gets any worse.
Currently there is a lot of talk about the shortage of players coming into the senior game at the age of 18. Hawks do not seem to suffer from that problem. On a Sunday in mid July, Our Registration Secretary, Hugh Barrow, registered 16 new players in Hawks name. The bulk of them 18 years of age and aspiring to join a club with a well regarded reputation for offering an excellent development pathway. At that time Hugh said that there are more to come and he was right, the number of new players now exceeds 30.

So a new season is about to begin and yet again Hawks start again with a virtually new team, but this is nothing new for the Club no matter what format is in place for Scottish rugby.

Sad Loss of Facility at Lochinch
Early in the summer it was announced that Queen Park FC had taken over the Police ground at Lochinch and all users were informed that their contracts were being terminated. This excellent all weather facility, has been Hawks training base for a number of season and last year the home for the 2nd XV. It may be remembered that the 1st XV beat Hawick there, in a January fixture, televised by Borders Rugby, on a day when very few games were played in Scotland on that day

Hawks Announce New Training Base
During pre-season training Hawks have been based at Kirklee Playing Fields adjacent to Kelvinside Academy and very convenient for West End based players. It was formerly the playing field for Glasgow High School for Girls. There is one grass pitch that proved to be ideal for summer training and attendances were excellent. Unfortunately it doesn’t have lights and can only be used until Mid September.
After a long search agreement was reached to transfer the training to Nether Craigs Playing Fields on Corkerhill Road on the Southside of the city. This facility has a floodlit grass pitch and excellent changing accommodation and storage. It is relatively close to the Clyde Tunnel and Corkerhill Station is across the road.
This season the 2nd XV will play their home fixtures here. One of the conditions of use is that all games will kick off at 2pm.
We are grateful to Pollok United Nethercraigs for the use of this facility.
It is easily located with bus and local train services. Ample on-site parking available.

Thomas Davidson joins the coaching team at Glasgow Hawks as skills and backs coach.

Tam has a wealth of rugby experience having coached Hillhead Jordanhill woman’s team and Cartha men’s while running his own coaching business involving rugby called Onside Performance.

He has most recently been appointed the St Aloysius College Director of Rugby and has also worked in the FOSROC Glasgow and the West Academy.

Appointment of Team Manager

David Forbes appointed Team Manger for upcoming season
Hawks are delighted to welcome on board David Forbes aka “Forbsie” as team manager. He brings a wealth of experience having carried out the role at Cartha for years.

Medical Team

Viki Penpraze – Senior Sports Scientist responsible for conditioning, fitness testing and mental skills training.

Dr Stephen Leckie – Senior Sports Scientist. Similar role to above.

Dr Tom McCabe – Clinical Physiatrist. Advisor to the Club on all mental health matters

Duty Doctors – The Club has a team of volunteer doctors who are in attendance at all home matches

Appointment of Physiotherapy Team

Tom Newton - Tom has rejoined the Club after spending time with Exeter Chiefs and is currently employed by the SRU.

Assistant Physiotherapists

Gillian Conn -Has been with Hawks for a number of seasons and is employed by the NHS.
Sian Thompson - Formerly physiotherapist with GHK RFC, employed by NHS. An enthusiastic hockey player.

The physiotherapists are in attendance at all 1st & 2nd XV matches and at each Tuesday and Thursday training sessions throughout the season.

Flood of Young Players Register with Hawks

Ruaridh Hart
Position - Second Row/Back Row
Teams played for - Glasgow Academy, FOSROC Glasgow & The West Academy & Glasgow U18’s Warriors & Scotland U18’s.

Ethan Aitken
Position - Centre/Wing/Full Back
Teams Played for - EK, Hamilton, Hawks & Ayr

Euan McAra
Position - Scrum Half
Teams played for - Strathaven, Biggar, FOSROC Glasgow & The West Academy & Ayrshire Bulls (injury cover)

Euan Muirhead
Position - Full Back/Wing
Teams played for - Dumfries U18’s, FOSROC Glasgow & The West Academy & Scotland 18’s

Ziga Vrhunec
Position - Second Row
Teams Played for - GHA, West of Scotland, University of the West of Scotland & Slovenia

Christopher Elliott
Position - Centre
Teams Played for - Cartha & FOSROC Glasgow and the West Academy

Alfie Maitland
Position - Second Row
Teams Played for - RHC, Stewart’s Melville College, FOSROC Edinburgh Academy & Scotland U18’s

Ben Skinner
Position - Back Row
Teams Played for - Birkmyre Rugby Club, St Columba’s & FOSROC Glasgow & The West Academy.

Eben Cairns
Position - Prop
Teams Played for - Ardrossan Accies U18’s & FOSROC Glasgow and the West Academy

Aaron Burgess
Position - Hooker
Teams Played for - Kelvinside Academy & FOSROC Glasgow and the West Academy

Fraser Cameron
Position - Hooker & Back Row
Teams Played for - Highland, West of Scotland & Glasgow University

Max Crumlish
Position - Second Row
Teams Played for - Cambuslang & Hamilton
Andy McLean
Position - Stand Off
Teams Played for - Robert Gordon’s College, Gordonians, FOSROC Caledonia Academy & Scotland U18’s

Oban Baird
Position - Hooker and loose head prop
Teams Played for - Farnham Rugby Club, Hampshire County & London Irish Academy
Son of Stephen Baird formerly Glasgow Accies and Scotland Under 21

Gavin Cruickshanks
Position - Stand Off
Teams Played for - Lenzie & Strathclyde University

Calum Ferrie
Position - Centre
Teams Played for - Kelvinside Academy & Glasgow & The West Academy

Rob Henderson
Position - Wing
Teams Played for - Stewart’s Melville College

Harvey Bullock
Position - Stand Off, Centre & Full Back
Teams Played for - Glasgow University, Glasgow Hawks, Dubai Exiles & Dubai College

Eric Davey
Position - Scrum Half
Teams Played for - Strathallan 1st XV & FOSROC Caledonia Academy

Seb Sing
Position - Back Row
Teams Played for - West of Scotland U18’s & FOSROC Glasgow & The West Academy

David McCartney
Position – Stand Off
Teams Played for – Cartha & FOSROC Glasgow and the West Academy

Ross Darroch
Position - Wing/Full Back
Teams Played for – Greenock & West of Scotland U18, Russia 7’s, Glasgow & West Academy

Rory McGinn
Position – Stand Off/Centre/Wing
Teams Played for – Biggar/Dundee HSFP/Dundee University

Harris Mitchell
Position – Wing/Full Back
Teams Played for – Mackie RFC, West Under18, FOSROC Glasgow &West Academy

Tiaan Wright
Position - Back Row
Teams Played for - West of Scotland Rugby Club

Findlay Rayner
Position - Wing/Centre
Teams Played for - The High School of Glasgow

Lewis Simon
Position - Back Row
Teams Played for - Glasgow University, Billingham RUFC, Durham County, Newcastle Falcons Academy.

Sam Graham
Position – Wing/Centre
Teams played for – Ayr RFC and Cartha RFC

Ryan Burke
Position – Second Row
Teams Played for- West of Scotland U18’s & FOSROC Glasgow & The West

Harry Fuller
Position - Wing Full back
Clubs Played for – Kelso & Duns

Kerr Yule
Position – Centre
Clubs Played for – West of Scotland & Scotland Under 18

Oscar Baird
Position – 2nd Row/Back Row
Clubs Played for – Highland RFC & Guernsey RFC

Craig Nolan
Position – Back Row/Centre
Clubs Played for – Whitecraigs & FOSROC Glasgow & West Academy

Robin Pratt
Position – 2nd Row/Back Row
Clubs Played for – Stewarts/Melville College
We wish them all every success and look forward to watching them playing in Hawks colours.

Scottish Cup Returns
After a gap of three years the Scottish cup makes a welcome return. On Saturday 4th February Hawks travel to Netherdale to play Gala in a first round tie. This is the first time since season 2016-2017 that the two sides have played against each other in a competitive match
If successful, they travel to Mayfield on Saturday 25th March to play Dundee Rugby, who have been given a bye into the 2nd round

Pre-Season Friendlies
Saturday 06 AugustGreenock WanderersAway 10-59 W
Saturday 13 AugustGalaAway Cancelled
Friday19 AugustBiggarAway 19-28 W
Saturday 20 AugustBlaydonAway 24-0 L

The above schedule has been arranged to ensure that as many as possible of the Hawks players can get game time before the season commences.

Grant Stewart signs for Connacht
Good luck to Grant Stewart from all at Hawks.
Connacht Rugby has announced that the club have signed Scottish hooker Grant Stewart on a short term, six-month contract.
Stewart arrives at The Sportsground to provide further injury cover and depth for the #2 jersey.
The 27-year old spent 5 years at Glasgow Warriors, scoring 9 tries across 48 appearances. Having represented Scotland at underage level, he also went on to make his senior international debut against France in 2019.
Commenting on his signing, Andy Friend says:
“We have three quality hookers in the squad in Dave Heffernan, Shane Delahunt and Dylan Tierney-Martin. However with Dave now a regular Ireland squad member and Shane unfortunately absent through injury for a little while longer, we’re now a little light in the position. So I’m very pleased we have been able to sign a player of Grant’s calibre and we have begun to integrate him into the squad this week, well in time for the start of the new season.”
Membership & Season Tickets
Members and former season ticket holders received the renewal notification by post and our thanks go to those of you who have responded. For those of you wishing to renew the season ticket are reminded that the first game takes place at Balgray on Saturday 27th August.
Anyone wishing to join the Club or donate to its continuing work should download the attached form and return it as instructed. Relatives of players are encouraged to attend matches and will be made most welcome.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the backbone of any successful Club and Hawks are no different from any other organisation. It can take the form of a major commitment or a spasmodic one taking just a few hours on an irregular basis.
Coaches – Anyone interested in developing coaching skills will be most welcome to join the established coaching team.
Team Management – The 2nd XV are looking for help on match days.
Gate Duty – Mark McIlfatrick our Secretary seeks additional helpers on home match days. This can be as little as a one game per season.
Pre Match Lunches – Assisting Rona with stewarding etc on lunch days.
Any Other Skills – Accounting, IT, Match Reporting,
Your Management Team for This Year
Hon. PresidentBrian Simmers
ChairmanKenny Hamilton
Director of RugbyChas Afuakwah
SecretaryMark McIlfatrick
TreasurerDavid McLay
Head CoachAndy Hill
Club CaptainStephen Leckie
Player Registration OfficerHugh Barrow
Membership SecretaryAlasdair Graham
Social SecretaryRona Gibson
Fixture SecretaryDamien McAulay
Referee SecretaryDavid McNair
Committee MembersViki Penpraze, Colin Kerr, John Roxburgh
EditorAlasdair Graham
Gate ConvenorMark McIlfatrick
We look forward to seeing you at our matches this season. Please meet up in the bar before and after the game.
Don’t forget first home game this Saturday 27th August at Balgray kick off 3.00pm.
Alasdair Graham - Editor