Ross High
Allan Glens
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Ross High
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
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Jacqui Johnston of club sponsor Cloud First Aid Training recently
spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about her positive association
with Allan Glens Rugby Club, telling us, “My son Jack started off
playing football but we felt after a while that there was a lack of
the family connection we were looking for so at the age of 10 he
made the switch to Allan Glens to play rugby which was a whole
different story and very family orientated.
Steve McConnell, his coach at the time, noticed his quick feet
straight away and put him on the wing. Jack continued playing
for a few years before athletics and running really caught his eye
where he competed for Team Glasgow and Scotland. Jack is now
studying at Cumbria University for his sports degree which covers
outdoor sports.
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22 Issue 77
I am also a foster mum and one of my boys Ben has started to play
for Allan Glens and is thoroughly enjoying himself. I have noticed
over the years the quality of coaches the club has where they
have given the right amount of support and encouragement to
young players. I have also been part of Allan Glens ladies rugby
and found the training sessions were excellent for fitness levels
although we never actually played a game.
I can’t speak highly enough about Allan Glens Rugby Club and the
working formula they have especially the warm welcome they give
to everyone. Long may it continue and best wishes to everyone for
many years to come!”
Drew Letham and his family have had a long and positive association
with Allan Glens Rugby Club. He recently told Rugby Club Magazine,
“When I was at primary school a friend told me about Allan Glens
Rugby Club, and although I was a footballer at the time, I went along
and never left.
All of my family have been connected, at some time or other and in
some way with the club. My dad Andy has been a lifetime supporter,
my brother Greg was club treasurer for many years, my mum Daisy
and sister Barbara-Anne are the club cleaners and my son Adam has
captained all age groups through the ranks and now plays for the
U18s.
Our company Hamlet Networks Ltd, a long term sponsor and supporter
of the club, were a source of employment for some of the Kiwi boys
who came over to play for the club, unfortunately it usually meant we
struggled for staff at weekends as they were all playing - much to my
dad’s annoyance at the time.
I played up until the age of 48 as a 10 or 12 and still occasionally put
on the boots for the odd game. Allan Glens is a very strong social
club and from their early years attracted players from both main local
schools Bishopbriggs High and Turnbull, this made for an excellent
mix of friends coming together. The reputation of the club has also
changed, and although this was always very good, less emphasis is
on the tougher labels that we used to have as a very hard playing and
hard hitting side.
The 2017/2018 squads are playing at a very high standard and a few
crunch games against Carrick in March will decide the league. The
clubs conveyor belt of very good young talent has greatly helped this.
The likes of Scottish International Alastair Kellock are great flyers of the
flag for Allan Glens Rugby Club. Alastair is a Bishopbriggs boy who
played as a lock for Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Scotland
and captained Glasgow from 2006 until 2015. He also captained
Scotland to a historic win against Australia in November 2009.
Myself, my family and everyone at Hamlet Networks would like to
congratulate everyone at Allan Glens Rugby Club on a great season
and on being chosen to appear in Rugby Club Magazine Six Nations
edition, best wishes to all for the rest of the season!”
oss High RFC enjoyed a year to remember in 2017 and
are now working hard to continue their success into
2018. Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with club
representative Mark Urwin to find out more about the club.
Involvement
He told us, “I started playing rugby
at age 15 in 1991 with Ross High RFC.
One of my friends had recently started
playing, and he asked me along.
Since then, I played midi, Colts,
1st XV and 2nd XV rugby at the club,
Edinburgh District, Edinburgh U18s,
19s & 21s. I have had many roles within
the rugby club, from 1st XV and Club
Captain, Membership Secretary and
the very first privately funded Youth
Development Officer (1997 to 2005).
Most recently I have been Head
Coach, and currently assistant 1st XV
coach and membership secretary.”
The Role
“By far the rewarding aspect
outweighs any and all challenging
aspects.
As someone who began coaching
(voluntarily) at age 19, the biggest
reward is seeing young people discover
themselves, their teammates and the
club through rugby. Watching the
young players develop into Senior Club
players, playing representative rugby,
and becoming stalwarts of the rugby
club in their own right.
Every two years the Rugby Club
youth section tour the north of England
(even years), whilst hosting our friends
Merewether HS from Newcastle, NSW,
Australia during the odd years. These
external and internal tours brings out the
best in everyone, volunteers, coaches,
players, oppositions and the clubs.” Every one of the current 1st XV
squad is a product of the Youth Section,
except one, Rob, who is on a short visit
from Australia. His father played for
Ross High RFC before emigrating to
Australia, so you could say he too is a
product of the club.
The 2nd XV, under the thoughtful
guidance of Grant “Granny” Walker
continues to perform and grow.
Resurrected to provide more rugby for
more players, they play regularly, and
support the development of players who
feed into the 1st XV.”
Atmosphere 2017/18
“The mood is very positive at
the moment. The 1st XV, under the
stewardship of Adam Hook and Ross
Watters, (both products of the Youth
Section) and leadership of Club Captain
Ryan Strachan, have to date only lost one
match, and that by one point to league
leaders Barnton. “With relegation at the end of last
season, the mood was downbeat, but
also opportunistic, as we all knew the
team was capable of more. With Adam,
Ross and Ryan taking the reins on the
field, and President John Tinlin working
hard off the field, 2017 will go down as
one of the top years in the clubs history.
Images courtesy of
Cribbes Photgraphy
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