FORMER Scotland sevens captain Colin Gregor visited Helensburgh last week to lead a three-day summer camp for the next generation of local rugby players.

Gregor, who also spent eight years on the Glasgow Warriors’ books, took 32 players aged between 12 and 15 through a series of exercises and fun activities.

Afterwards he said he’d been struck not only by his young charges’ rugby abilities but also by their attitudes.

“I was really impressed with them,” Gregor, who retired from playing in 2015 and is now a regular feature of BBC Radio Scotland’s rugby coverage, told the Advertiser.

“Before we started I had a chat how they wanted to treat the camp and how they were going to behave, and they applied that and stuck to it.

“Playing rugby for six hours a day for three days means you risk running out of energy at some points but they re-focussed, re-applied themselves and certainly looked like they enjoyed themselves.

“Three of the older players helped out and took the initiative when they needed to, which I found really impressive. The whole experience was very positive.”

Helensburgh Rugby Club youth coach David Leach, who organised Gregor’s visit, added: “Colin’s opening line on the first day was ‘you’re here to have fun’ and the boys certainly seemed to do that.

“When I speak to parents the important things about youth rugby are teamwork, fitness and discipline, but for the kids themselves it’s about having fun with their mates. It was great to have Colin in Helensburgh.”

Meanwhile, Helensburgh Rugby Club is holding its annual youth rugby registration day at Ardencaple this Sunday, August 19, from 10am until 11.30am.

All current players and new players – in all youth age groups – are welcome to come along, talk to the coaches and sign up for the new season.