GHK RUGBY CLUB

OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER

Different teams. Different ages. One GHK Rugby Club.

From the President

Keeping people playing is a shared task across GHK. For our senior squad, that means working through a demanding National 1 season and turning the good work at training into more consistent performances. For our younger players, it means finding the teammates, fixtures and opportunities that make them want to come back each week.

There have been encouraging moments since our last newsletter, including the 1st XV win over Selkirk and two strong home wins for the 2nd XV. There have also been difficult afternoons, and we need to be honest about the work still to do.

Our junior coaches and volunteers are working hard to bring more children into the club and keep rugby available as school commitments increase. The U13 and U14 tour to Devon next spring gives those groups something exciting to work towards, with opportunities for the wider club to help.

Thank you to everyone giving their time to GHK. With the Sponsors and Supporters Lunch coming up on 31 October, we have another chance to bring people together at Old Anniesland and recognise the support that helps rugby happen across the club.

Kenneth Cowan
President, GHK Rugby Club

Senior Rugby | Turning the work into results

Since the Stirling County game covered in September, the 1st XV has added a win over Selkirk alongside defeats at Musselburgh and Jed-Forest and at home to Marr. That leaves two wins from the opening seven league matches.

Musselburgh proved a difficult afternoon, with the home side winning 60-17 on 19 September. GHK responded the following week at Old Anniesland with a 21-15 victory over Selkirk. Three tries and three conversions secured an important win.

The trip to Jed-Forest on 3 October ended in a narrow 38-34 defeat. GHK scored six tries and came away with both a try bonus point and a losing bonus point. Back at Old Anniesland on 17 October, five tries earned another try bonus point in a 50-31 defeat to Marr.

GHK v Marr at Old Anniesland, 17 October 2026.

Training continues to be encouraging, and the rolling maul has been a productive source of tries. The challenge now is to make those good spells last longer and turn them into more wins against strong National 1 opposition.

1st XV results since Stirling County
19 September: Musselburgh 60-17 GHK
26 September: GHK 21-15 Selkirk
3 October: Jed-Forest 38-34 GHK
17 October: GHK 31-50 Marr

The 2nd XV has continued its league programme with a 48-17 defeat away to Edinburgh Academical followed by a 43-29 home win over Currie Chieftains 3rd XV. Seven tries against Currie included four from Luke Davies.

The scheduled trip to Kelso Sharks on 3 October did not go ahead because GHK could not field a team. The return to action against West of Scotland on 17 October brought a 48-17 win at Old Anniesland, with eight tries, including a hat-trick from Max Woods.

2nd XV results since 12 September
19 September: Edinburgh Academical 2nd XV 48-17 GHK
26 September: GHK 43-29 Currie Chieftains 3rd XV
3 October: Kelso Sharks fixture not played
17 October: GHK 48-17 West of Scotland

Availability remains a challenge across the senior playing squad. Thank you to Aidan Fitzgerald, who has come in to assist with the 2nd XV and help keep the programme running.

Junior Rugby | Keeping children in the game

The latest junior report records 148 registered players. Mini numbers are slightly up on last month, although still below previous years, and the groups have been taking a break over the school October holidays.

The U13s have 21 players, with good numbers and fixtures going well. The U14s have a pool of 19, but getting 15 available each week remains difficult. SRU-arranged triangular fixtures are helping clubs in a similar position get rugby played.

Discussions with Strathaven are exploring the possibility of joining together for U14 fixtures after Christmas. This remains a proposal, with further discussion planned around the next round of SRU fixtures.

Training and fixtures for U15s, U16s and U17s are being paused until after Christmas because of limited availability alongside school rugby and academy commitments. Families should keep in touch with the junior organisers for plans after the festive break.

There is welcome practical support from The High School of Glasgow, which has agreed to make a minibus available for U13 and U14 away fixtures. The club will arrange insurance and cover fuel, with a contribution of £10 per player per away fixture proposed to meet those costs.

We would love to see more children enjoying rugby at GHK. If you know a family looking for a welcoming place to make friends, learn the game and have fun, please put them in touch at ghkrfcinfo@gmail.com. Parents and volunteers who can help are equally welcome.

Midis Tour | The Devon Big Bash

Our U13s and U14s are planning a trip to Devon from 30 April to 2 May 2027. The programme includes the Ivybridge RFC tournament on Saturday 1 May and a fixture against a local side on Sunday 2 May.

The group will stay at PGL Barton Hall in Torquay, with meals and evening activities included. Travel is planned by air from Edinburgh to Bristol, returning from Bristol to Glasgow, with private coach transport for airport transfers and fixtures.

The tour flyer gives an estimated cost of £464 per person, including flights, accommodation, meals and coach travel; the flight element is approximate. A payment of £250 is due by 31 October 2026 to secure flights and the travel-agent deposit. Touring families should use Spond to contact the organisers about payment and arrangements.

Fundraising will help meet the remaining tour costs and provide players’ tour kit. Bag-packing dates have been agreed with Morrisons, while approaches to other supermarkets are awaiting responses. Other ideas being explored include car washing, scratch cards, a sponsored walk and prize draws. Dates and details will follow as arrangements are confirmed.

If you can offer sponsorship, a fundraising opportunity or some time to help, please contact the tour organisers through Spond. A tour gives young players the chance to enjoy rugby together, meet other teams and make memories well beyond a Sunday fixture.

Sponsors and Supporters Lunch | An afternoon with Adam Ashe

Our first pre-match lunch of the season takes place at Old Anniesland on Saturday 31 October. Join us for the Sponsors and Supporters Lunch, with arrival at 12:30pm and lunch served at 1:00pm, ahead of GHK v Boroughmuir RFC at 3:00pm.

We are delighted to welcome Adam Ashe, former Scotland international and Glasgow Warriors player, as our guest speaker. Adam will share his story of moving from professional rugby into business and the success of his rapidly expanding NX1 Project.

Places cost £30 per person, including a two-course lunch, match entry and a printed match programme.

The lunch is selling fast, so please email lunches@ghkrugby.com as soon as possible to book your places. Payment can be made on the website through the Club Shop or Events section, or in cash on the day.

It promises to be a sociable afternoon of rugby and conversation, and a chance to thank the sponsors and supporters who help keep GHK moving forward.

People | Congratulations to Martin and Carly

Warm congratulations to Martin Whyte of GHK Rugby and Carly Bisset of GHK Hockey, who married on Saturday 10 October 2026 at Boturich Castle on the banks of Loch Lomond.

Many GHK members joined them to celebrate the occasion. Martin and Carly are two fantastic members of the GHK family, and everyone at the club wishes them both health and happiness for their future together.

People and Partners | Support that makes a difference

Thank you to the junior coaches, organisers and parents working on recruitment, fixtures, transport and the tour. Finding ways to keep children playing takes time, particularly when numbers and availability vary from week to week.

Alongside Corum’s existing support, West End Mortgages has agreed to sponsor one sleeve of the junior jerseys. A sponsor is being sought for the second sleeve. If your business would like to hear more about supporting junior rugby, please contact ghkrfcinfo@gmail.com.

Membership | Subscriptions are due

A reminder to all players and members that subscriptions are now due. If you have not yet paid, please arrange payment using the appropriate category below. Thank you to everyone who has already renewed; your support helps keep rugby running across GHK.

Social membership does not include international tickets or voting rights.

Pay by bank transfer to RBS: sort code 83-52-00, account number 00638907.

Alternatively, pay online through the GHK Club Shop at ghkrfc.com/all-products/.

One Club | A part for everyone

Bringing a friend to junior rugby, helping with a tour fundraiser, supporting a sponsor or coming down to watch the senior sides all help keep GHK connected. The needs differ across the age groups, but the aim is shared: an enjoyable club where people can play, develop and belong.

Different teams. Different ages. One GHK Rugby Club.

Coming Up | October into November

Saturday 24 October – Away
Glasgow Accies v GHK 1st XV – 3pm
Glasgow Accies v GHK 2nd XV – 3pm

Saturday 31 October – Old Anniesland
GHK 1st XV v Boroughmuir – 3pm
GHK 2nd XV v Heriot’s 2A – 2pm
Sponsors and Supporters Lunch

Saturday 31 October
£250 payment deadline for the U13 and U14 Devon tour.

Saturday 14 November – Away
Biggar v GHK 1st XV – 3pm
Biggar v GHK 2nd XV – 2pm

Saturday 28 November – Old Anniesland
GHK 1st XV v Gala – 3pm
Past Players’ Lunch

There are no scheduled senior league games on 7 or 21 November. Please check club updates for any fixture changes and Past Players’ Lunch booking arrangements. Come down and support GHK when you can.