Welcome to the Web Pages devoted to “Anniesland Hawks”, the Youth Development Initiative run by Glasgow Accies in association with Glasgow Hawks

Our programme for season 2010 / 2011 is aimed at those playing rugby at the U-17 age group level but whether you play rugby at school or not, all are welcome. From the start of season 2011 / 2012, the programme will be expanded to include a competitive U-18 squad, playing in both league and cup competitions.

Senior rugby, wherever it’s played, is a lot different to what many young players have experienced at mini, midi and youth levels. The principal aims of Anniesland Hawks are to

• help introduce young players to, and properly prepare them for, senior rugby,
• provide a “rounded” rugby education that focuses not only on fitness, but on being prepared to be the best  player an individual can be physically and mentally,
• develop a structured programme of on and off-the-field events to build individual skills, and
• develop a winning rugby mentality.

Click here to see details of the programme that’s being organised. The first thing to note is that as those who join the programme will become members of a senior club, our main training sessions will be held on a Thursday evening from 6.30pm – 8.30pm. A dedicated lounge (Wi-Fi available) is available from 5.00pm within our Clubhouse for those wanting to arrive straight from school and do homework (seriously!!), and the gym will also be available for those wanting to do a bit of extra fitness work.

Our evenings will mainly be split into 2 sessions, the first 6.30pm – 7.30pm will be based around “the classroom”, reviewing a video analysis of previous matches or listening to a guest speaker on a relevant topic. The second, 7.30pm – 8.30pm will involve on-the-field coaching, preparing for forthcoming fixtures.

Fixtures will be played, but not on the regular, week-in / week-out basis you may have come to expect. Why? Well, firstly there is no nationally recognised league structure or cup competition for those at U-17 level for season 2010 / 2011. Secondly, many players will be playing rugby on Saturday mornings for their school and, at the levels we want to attain, we do not believe any player can reasonably be expected to do 2 full, 100% 70 minute sessions each weekend of a season: physically, it’s just not feasible. And finally, examinations! Yes, those dreaded prelims, standard grades and highers have to be given your full attention, so there are breaks in the programme from the end of November until the beginning of February to accommodate prelims, and the programme will finish mid-April to enable you to give your final exams your best shot!

As members of the programme, you’ll be covered under Glasgow Academicals RFC SRU insurance policy (full details of which can be provided on request). We can provide access to 3 separate playing and training areas (include astro pitches when the weather’s particularly bad) and you’ll be entitled to gain access to our gym, with specialist programmes being devised to help you with your individual development. You’ll also get full access to our medical and physio support facilities, just like any other senior player. In return, you’ll be expected to behave and treat the facilities at New Anniesland just like other senior players (i.e. responsibly!), so yes that does mean paying an annual sub and paying match dues, as all players at the Club do: for season 2010 / 2011 the “student” annual sub is £50 and match dues will be £3 per match.

The Anniesland Hawks initiative is open to all, regardless of where you live or what school you go to. If you’re serious about becoming a better player, why not come along and find out what we have to offer. As a natural extension of the programme, we hope you’ll begin to regard Anniesland as your rugby “home”, possibly progressing into rugby at National League level with Glasgow Accies or our friends and rivals, GHK. For those with ambitions of playing in the Premiership, our close association with Glasgow Hawks offers a pathway into the higher echelons of Scottish club rugby, and even if you’re going to leave Glasgow for work or study, we have contacts at your disposal nationwide to help you find the right club to develop your game.

To join the Anniesland Hawks Youth Development Programme, download the membership form, complete it, and email it back to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have any queries about the programme, or would just like to speak to someone about it before committing, don’t hesitate to contact the Programme Coordinator, Mark Walker on 07886 438104.