Greens stand up to be counted

Published 12 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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SINEWS are being strained to the core at Ardencaple as Helensburgh Rugby Club’s arrangements for the new season gather pace.

And while new coach Tyrone Sterry, who replaced Liam McIntyre this summer, puts the players through their paces in preparation for another tilt at promotion out of National League Division Three, much work has been going on off the pitch, too.

After a lot of hard work and personal dedication, the club boasts a spanking new 160-seat stand - resplendent in club colours and with provision for disabled supporters - that is sure to spur the Burgh on in their pursuit of their first promotion in 12 years. And keep the spectators dry and comfortable.

The new stand recently caused great delight to the beneficiaries of a ‘seat for life’ at Ardencaple when a select band attended an allocation draw for their seat positions within the stand.

Following the draw, the lucky few got to try their seats.

The changing rooms have also been rejuvenated by a players’ working party, with the first XV dressing room now sporting nifty ‘player-pods’, as coach Sterry strives to professionalise the lads’ approach to rugby.

This season’s first XV captain, Chris Black, said: “It’s great the lads came together as a team to freshen up the changing areas.

“And they should all now feel a sense of ownership and be proud of their achievement on a job well done.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all who contributed their time and skills to make it happen.”

Where the players found the energy for this revamp is a pertinent question, given the intensity of pre-season training.

Over 30 guys have trained throughout the summer on a series of drills and challenges set by Sterry and his assistants, and this emphasis on fitness augers well for the challenges ahead.

However, coach Sterry was keen to emphasise that any new player - from whatever walk of life - is more than welcome to come to training and become a Burgh bear.

He said: “I’ve been impressed with the level of commitment shown by the guys over the summer but I would appeal for anyone keen to give rugby a go to come down to training.

“I’m happy that we have a solid unit for the forthcoming games, but I’d be happier still if we could augment the front five players at the club in particular.

“That is one area I’d like to continue to strengthen as it’s such an important component of modern rugby; that ability to win first-phase ball.”

Helensburgh’s pre-season friendlies begin on Saturday with a team competing at the Clydebank RFC 10s tournament.

This is followed by a club trip to Inverness on August 14 to play Highland RFC, before the new stand is officially opened with a game against RN Scotland, the Royal Navy’s elite squad, on Wednesday August 18 at 6.30pm.

A final home friendly for both first and second XV against Strathendrick is on August 21 before the league campaign begins the following week, with an away trip to Preston Lodge FP.

This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 05 Aug 10

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