GHA President’s Welcome,
I hope this message finds you all well and coping in these extraordinary times. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as your new President. I am delighted and privileged to be the GHA President and continue the great work of my predecessors and more recently Brian and Euan. I am looking forward to meeting you all soon when we return to action at Braidholm.
We are living in unprecedented times and like you all I am desperate to see us coming out of lockdown and getting back to normality. For all involved I am sure a big part of the norm will be rugby! I have spent many hours reflecting on my playing and coaching days, the fun I have had, the friends I have made and the special moments that only sport and particularly rugby provides. I am sure we will all value it more and look forward to the future at GHA with great enthusiasm.
I hope that very soon the Scottish Government will give us the green light to go ahead to begin a return to rugby. The SRU have established ‘Threat Management Groups’ to plan the way back and we will adhere to their advice with diligence, ensuring the safety of our members as the number one priority. Planning at the club is on-going with the committee and sub-groups looking at the practicalities which will help guide our return route to rugby.
The Treasurers have been working hard to see us through these difficult financial times and we have received a grant through the SRU Club hardship fund additional funds through the government’s Business Bounceback loan scheme. They are looking at a variety of cash flow scenarios and timescales for return to normality. What we do need is your help and I would personally encourage you, if you are able, to pay your subscriptions for this season. The Club has a Direct Debit payment system which we hope will help spread the cost over the year. Many thanks in advance.
The Senior players held their awards evening last week by ZOOM. It was well attended, and I was delighted along with Rangi and Trevor to be able to congratulate them on their performances last season and thank all the players and coaches. Particular reference was made to our 2nd XV and the Under 18’s who had great seasons. The Under 18’s sadly, were deprived of a Scottish Cup Final at Murrayfield. The future however is bright! Trevor reflected on the season past and then set out the blueprint for the season ahead and the plans to make us the best in Scotland. It is a truly exciting prospect. The questions that cannot be answered are, what is the return to-play start date and what will a potential fixture list look like? I personally suspect that matches when played will be local for all age groups at the club.
I hope all our Juniors have been enjoying Trevor’s Sunday morning sessions. They have been great fun and I hope they have helped the parents have a bit of time out as Trevor has put them through their paces. It is a great way to keep the GHA spirit buzzing and I am looking forward to coming down on a Sunday to see the juniors in action. They are the future of our club and we are so fortunate to have a great ‘band of coaches’ doing super work. I am sure they are also desperate to get back to rugby.
I was writing a piece for S6 school leavers and used this quote ‘things work out the best for those who make the best of how things work out’
Let us be ready to bounce back. GHA Together Stronger.
Take care
Stuart
Stuart Lang
President
