Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 15

Greenock Wanderers Graeme Alexander recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about his long and positive association with Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club, telling us, “As a former pupil of Greenock Academy, many of my friends progressed to senior club rugby and at the age of 18 I followed suit and started my club rugby playing career.” “My journey with the Wanderers has spanned 42 years to date and as well as playing competitively for many of those years, mainly in the number 5 second row position, I have worn most other hats including mini and midi convenor, progressing on through various committee positions before becoming President. “I played my last official game in 1999 but have turned out for the vets fairly regularly since then and on some special occasions like the opening of our new club house in 2008 and our international Vets tour to Beauvais in 2006 where the Wanderers were the Scottish representatives - finishing tournament winners. “My son Stewart, who is now 29, is a product of the clubs mini-junior section which continues to be a very important life blood of our club. Stewart plays in the first XV as hooker and with a few vital games coming up soon the team have a real opportunity to finish the season on a high. “My business Thomas Johnstone Ltd are a club sponsor who have enjoyed supporting The Wanderers over many decades and like to help out when we can. “Greenock Wanderers RFC are a true community club who continue to develop young people and offer a welcoming and friendly place to socialise. It’s great to see John Black at the helm of the club and there is no doubt with the current pool of players that the club can hold their own in the National leagues. Best wishes to everyone at the club for the remainder of the 2018/2019 campaign and for many more seasons to come!” “I started playing mini rugby as a seven-year-old for Greenock Wanderers. At the time, my school didn’t offer rugby and in my later years at school, in collaboration with the PE Department, a rugby team was formed. I played for the club all the way through the ranks to senior rugby before business and family life meant I couldn’t continue to commit to playing. My main playing position was tight-head prop. I get down to games regularly and enjoy how the boys are playing this season. I feel that club tours are a great way of connecting with each other and would encourage more to take place at the club. One of the main benefits is giving younger members the experience of being away from home and teaching them valuable life skills. Back in the day whilst playing for the U16s we went on a Dubai tour and later to TIMBER, BUILDING & LANDSCAPING MATERIALS Belfast and Newcastle, it was a fantastic experience. HUGE RANGE OF PRODUCTS FROM DOORS AND FLOORS TO It’s great to see the seniors enjoying their rugby and SLABS AND AGGREGATES ALL DELIVERED TO INVERCLYDE, with the return of some older players there seems AYRSHIRE, RENFREWSHIRE, DUNBARTONSHIRE, ARGYL & to be a good balance within the team. Best wishes BUTE, GLASGOW AND MORE. to everyone at the club for the remainder of the GREENOCK 01475 723737 LARGS 01475 648387 2018/2019 campaign!” ADDRESS: 150 LYNEDOCH STREET, ADDRESS: 12 LADE STREET, LARGS Mark Rodger GREENOCK, INVERCLYDE, PA15 4AJ NORTH AYRSHIRE, KA30 8AZ WWW.MJTIMBER.CO.UK www.rugbyclubmag.com 15