Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC

GHA
Full name Glasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians Rugby Football Club
Union Scottish Rugby Union
Founded 1923 (as Hutchesons' Grammar School F.P.R.F.C.)
Location Glasgow, Scotland
Ground(s) Braidholm
President Scotland Ronnie Jamieson
Coach(es) Scotland Craig Sorbie Scotland Peter Jericevich Scotland Jon Welsh
Captain(s) Scotland Andrew Henderson
League(s) BT Natonal One
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.gharugby.co.uk

Glasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians Rugby Football Club, often abbreviated to GHA and colloquially referred to as G-HA!! /ˈdʒiːhɑː/, is a Scottish rugby union club based in the Giffnock area of Glasgow, which currently plays in BT National One. The club plays its home matches at Braidholm.

History

The club was established by the 2002 merger between Glasgow Southern RFC and Hutchesons' - Aloysians' RFC.[1] The former club was originally known as Clarkston but was renamed in 1995 with the ambition of creating the premier side on the South Side of Glasgow. The latter club was also formed as the result of an earlier merger between the former pupils (FPs) clubs of Hutchesons' Grammar School and St Aloysius' College. The merged club is now firmly established as the premier club on the South Side of Glasgow.

Hutchesons’ Grammar School F. P. R. F. C.

The Club was formed in 1923 playing out of Auldhouse, the school’s sports ground in Thornliebank. Admitted as a full member of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1937, the Hutchesons’ Club entered the National League system in Season 1973 at 2nd Division level, having dispensed with tradition to some degree by opting for “Open” status two years previously, a significant decision forced, by necessity, on many Scottish F.P. Clubs at that time.

1990 was to see further constitutional change when the club agreed amalgamation with close friends and one time rivals to form Hutchesons' Aloysians R.F.C.

Old Aloysians R.F.C.

By contrast, the Old Aloysians’ club was formed in 1955 for the sole purpose of undertaking a challenge match against the extremely successful Saint Aloysius’ College 1st XV. The unexpected success of this venture resulted in a decision to seek regular fixtures which led to a continuing upsurge in interest and the inevitable and rapid expansion of the F.P. Club. The first fixture was against Hutchesons’ Grammar F. P. R. F. C., coincident with the invitation from Hutchesons’ Grammar School to Saint Aloysius’ College 1st XV to undertake regular fixtures. This long standing friendship led to the amalgamation in season 1990-91.

Hutchesons’ Aloysians R.F.C.

Richard Allan was selected as the Club’s first full internationalist for the Irish fixture at Murrayfield in 1969 to be followed by other distinguished players who gained representative honours. Brothers Gordon and Alan Bulloch were to gain National Caps, with the former captaining the National side on several occasions. Ray Nelson was to achieve caps for the United States National Team the U.S. Eagles.

Clarkston R.F.C.

A view of the stand and club house at Braidholm, GHA's home field

Unlike the two Former Pupil Clubs now involved at Braidholm, Clarkston R .F.C., since its formation in 1937, has always been an “Open” club, created by a variety of former pupil rugby players who did not wish to undertake cross city travel to indulge in their sport. Significantly the first club chairman was a Glasgow Academical, the first President a Glasgow High Former Pupil and the longest serving Club Captain and Coach, Andrew Williams a product of Allan Glen’s.

Playing initially at the local authority’s Overlee ground, years of tireless fund raising saw the Club’s new facility at Braidholm opened by S.R.U. President Charlie Drummond in January 1971. The Club entered the new National League structure in 1973 at 4th Division level, rising through the years to division two. With three pitches. floodlights, 250 seater stand and expanded Clubhouse, in recognition of its changing character and by a significant membership majority at the May 1995 A.G.M., the Club altered its name to Glasgow Southern R.F.C.

Glasgow Southern R.F.C.

Over several years a variety of players graduated through the Club participation from both youth and senior level to achieve representative status. Full International caps were awarded to Gordon McIlwham, and Euan Murray while others have achieved selection at Youth level.

Further Development

Agreement reached with a development organisation saw the original 1970 Clubhouse demolished to make way for a health club. A new, state of the art, Clubhouse was formally opened by S.R.U. President Ronnie Young at Braidholm in January 2002. The Glasgow Southern name was only to survive for seven years before it became evident to all concerned that the sport on the south side of Glasgow would be best served through amalgamation, an initiative formalised in May 2002 with the formation of Glasgow Hutchesons’ Aloysians Rugby Football Club.

Senior Rugby

GHA run 5 senior sides[2] - the 1st XV, the 2nd XV, the GHA U20s (known as the GHA Lions), the GHA 3rd XV (known as the GHA Sharks) and there is also a veterans (Over 35s) team called the GHA Gazelles.

Recent Results

The amalgamation has been a great success with GHA's 1st XV having spent 3 seasons in Premiership Division One (2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08) - Scottish rugby's top domestic league. Subsequently, the club spent three seasons playing in Premiership Division Two from 2008 to 2011. Despite challenging in the top half of Premier 2 between 2008 and 2010, GHA were unable to regain promotion to Premier 1. Season 2010/11 was to prove one of the most challenging in the club's history and the loss of several of the club's most experienced players combined with injury to several key players were major factors in the 1st XV being relegated to Scottish Premiership Division Three.

In 2011/12 GHA finished second in the league but were denied promotion due to league reconstruction. For season 2012/13 they were placed in RBS Championship League A and went on to win the league in a historic, winner takes all, final day of the season title decider away to local rivals Cartha Queens Park by 23 to nil. This also earned them the one promotion spot, securing GHA's place back amongst the top 20 clubs in Scotland.

GHA's 7s squad won the prestigious NCS Glasgow City 7s in May 2012,[3] defeating the Samurai Scottish (an invitational side containing several Scotland 7s Internationalists[4]) in the final. They also defeated the Glasgow Warriors in their semi final, tournament hosts Cartha QP in the Quarter Final and a 50-14 victory over the 2012 Legacy 7s Series champions Howe of Fife,[5] in the First Round. GHA joined the Glasgow Hawks as one of only 2 amateur teams to win the tournament in the last decade.

Playing Overview

Season League Position Cup Notes
2002-03 Premiership Two 2nd Round of 16 Promoted to Premiership One
2003-04 Premiership One 9th Round of 16 -
2004-05 Premiership One 11th Round of 32 Relegated to Premiership Two
2005-06 Premiership Two 9th Quarter-Finals -
2006-07 Premiership Two 3rd Round of 32 Promoted to Premiership One
2007-08 Premiership One 11th - Relegated to Premiership Two
2008-09 Premiership Two 6th Round of 16 -
2009-10 Premiership Two 5th Round of 32 -
2010-11 Premiership C 8th Group Stage Relegated to Premiership Three
2011–12 Premiership Three 2nd Round of 16 (West) -
2012–13 Championship A 1st Group Stage (West) Promoted to National League
2013-14 National League 8th Runners-up (West) -
2014-15 National One 2nd Round of 16 Premiership / National One Play-off

Competitive Playing Record (2002 - Present)

Record correct as of 25/04/2015

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Win percentage Last Victory
Aberdeen Grammar1060423325560%20/12/2014
Ardrossan Academicals65011879483.33%22/12/2012
Ayr1122714321027.27%19/02/2005
Berwick2110564075%24/09/2005
Biggar16120439428975%21/02/2015
Boroughmuir90091523280%-
Cartha Queens Park941420316750%23/03/2013
Currie62049511933.33%05/01/2008
Dalziel550015366100%14/12/2013
Dumfries Saints52031387640%26/01/2013
Dundee HSFP1130815329627.27%28/03/2015
Dunfermline550022662100%03/11/2012
Edinburgh Academicals730411016142.86%08/12/2007
Edinburgh University1100246100%18/02/2006
Ellon11002914100%03/12/2005
Falkirk420210410850%16/02/2013
Gala1361627524450%18/10/2008
Glasgow Academicals11005015100%01/11/2003
Glasgow Hawks7007681130%-
Grangemouth33009440100%22/11/2003
Greenock Wanderers550019692100%07/12/2013
Haddington851221713768.75%03/03/2012
Hamilton4202907950%30/08/2008
Hawick930616720533.33%01/12/2007
Hawick YM11002112100%20/01/2007
Heriot's FP630311612650%15/09/2007
Hillfoots1100283100%10/01/2009
Hillhead/Jordanhill1370634723153.85%21/03/2015
Howe of Fife3102607633.33%14/04/2012
Jed-Forest1241719222137.5%14/03/2015
Kelso16110536925868.75%28/02/2015
Kirkcaldy850318613462.5%11/02/2012
Lasswade3102847233.33%21/02/2009
Lenzie1100433100%30/10/2004
Livingston1100229100%02/11/2002
Marr2110595875%04/10/2014
Melrose721413717135.71%12/03/2005
Morgan Academy22007452100%19/11/2011
Murrayfield Wanderers440012149100%18/03/2006
Musselburgh2101274550%20/12/2008
Peebles1160526223854.55%10/01/2015
Perthshire43012284975%30/08/2014
Selkirk1431816726825%15/11/2014
Stewart's Melville1270520529958.33%07/02/2015
Stirling County930614423833.33%03/10/2009
Watsonians13301021338023.08%06/12/2014
West of Scotland22006620100%12/01/2013
Whitecraigs22007627100%23/02/2013
Total307154101436812625551.79%

Current 1st XV Squad

Former GHA Captain Niall Cassie

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Scott Carson Prop Scotland Scotland
Michael Fox Prop Scotland Scotland
Scott Gallacher Prop Scotland Scotland
Jamie Leslie Prop Scotland Scotland
Michael Robertson Prop Scotland Scotland
Lewis Anderson Hooker Scotland Scotland
Erik Cavan Hooker Scotland Scotland
Donald Malcolm Hooker Scotland Scotland
James Malcolm Hooker Scotland Scotland
Adam Barnett Lock Scotland Scotland
Ryan Jenkins Lock Scotland Scotland
Chris McGeough Lock Scotland Scotland
Ross Angus Flanker Scotland Scotland
Alan Auld Flanker Scotland Scotland
Paul Harkins Flanker Scotland Scotland
Andrew Boag Flanker Scotland Scotland
Grant MacDonald Number 8 Scotland Scotland
Gordon Campbell Number 8 Scotland Scotland
Player Position Union
Andrew Gilman Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Peter Jericevich Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Murray Houston Scrum-half Scotland Scotland
Andrew Goudie Fly-half Scotland Scotland
Gordon Adams Centre Scotland Scotland
Niall Cassie Centre Scotland Scotland
Andrew Henderson Centre Scotland Scotland
Max MacFarlane Centre Scotland Scotland
Euan Greer Wing Scotland Scotland
Rangi Jericevich Wing Scotland Scotland
Nigel Kelly Wing Scotland Scotland
Christopher Binnie Fullback Scotland Scotland
Euan McKirdy Fullback Scotland Scotland

Scotland Club Internationalists

Scotland U20/U21 Age Grade Internationalists

The following players gained either Under 20 or Under 21 Age Grade International honours whilst playing senior rugby at GHA.

Under 21 (Age group was disbanded after 2006 season)

Under 20 (Age group replaced Under 21s from 2007 onwards)

Centurions Club

The following players have made 100 or more appearances for GHA's 1st XV (note that some players also played for the constituent clubs and their appearances for those clubs have been included in their total). These totals are accurate as of the end of season 2010/11.

Player Appearances
Rory Watson 174†
Ian Smith 161*
Richard Nolan 154*
James Noonan 152*
Alistair Menzies 133*
Zander McIlwham 128*
Martin Dunn 108†
Trevor Carmichael 108†
Niall Cassie 106
Andrew Richardson 105*
Andrew Healy 103*
Ross McClymont 102
John Fitzpatrick 102†
Andrew Rushforth 100
Dom Sharkey 100*

*Appearances include games played for Glasgow Southern/Clarkston
†Appearances include games played for Hutchesons' Aloysians

Junior Rugby

GHA has a large junior rugby section consisting of over 300 boys and girls ranging from micros up to Under 18s. The junior section has contributed several players to the senior set up including James Eddie who subsequently signed for Glasgow's professional team, the Glasgow Warriors.

GHA's ongoing ties with Hutchesons' Grammar School and St. Aloysius' College can also be seen from the large number of pupils and former pupils of both schools playing at the club. Links have also been forged with local state schools, particularly Williamwood High School and Mearns Castle High School whose pupils and former pupils are also widely represented throughout the club.

The GHA Rugby Academy Logo

The GHA Rugby Academy

The GHA Rugby Academy was established in 2012 and is aimed at helping talented young players at the club to realise their potential and achieve their rugby ambitions.

The GHA Rugby Academy offers the club's most talented young players an opportunity to experience a professional approach to training and playing rugby. It was set up to produce future 1st XV players for GHA RFC, provide more players for the Glasgow district set up and ultimately get more players into National Age Grade Squads. It was seen as a necessary development and use of the clubs limited resources in order to develop the long term sustainability of the club and support its long term ambitions.

Notable former players

This is a list of former GHA players who had or went on to gain full-time professional contracts within a full-time professional rugby squad and/or achieved senior International, International A or International 7s Honours.

This list does not include players who were allocated to play for GHA in the Scottish Rugby draft[6] whereby players from Scotland's full-time professional squads - Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby - are annually drafted by Scottish Premiership clubs to play for them on weekends when not selected for the professional teams. During GHA's spell in the Premiership, current Scotland Internationals Johnnie Beattie[7] and John Barclay[8] were among those to be allocated to play for them.

Post the 2002 amalgamation

Active:

Retired:

Pre the 2002 amalgamation

Active:

Retired:

Club Captains

Trevor Carmichael 2002/03
Euan Baillie 2003/04
Zander McIlwham 2004/06
Rory Watson 2006/08
Niall Cassie 2008/2011
Andrew Henderson 2011/Present

Head Coaches

Gavin Walsh 2002/03
David Wilson 2003/05
Roddy Moir 2005/08
Bill MacDonald 2008/2011
Gordon MacPherson 2011/2014
Craig Sorbie 2014/present

References

External links