Ahead of last weekend’s fixtures, GHA Head Coach Calum Forrester highlighted the club’s continued success in developing homegrown talent. An impressive 44 of the 66 players selected for the 1XV, 2XV and Lions squads are graduates of GHA’s youth programme.
This extraordinary statistic reflects a club built on loyalty, identity and long-term development. Many of these players have been with the club for over a decade, progressing through minis and midis before putting on the senior jersey with pride. It underscores the long-term commitment and community culture at the heart of GHA.
Guided by its mission statement — “Join us as we build Scotland’s leading community rugby club; from the minis to the premiership” — GHA continues to invest in nurturing homegrown talent, strengthening grassroots participation, and promoting rugby as a positive force within the local community.
From Minis to Premiership: A player’s Perspective
1XV captain, Dario Ewing, who has grown through every stage of the club’s pathway, shared what it means to represent GHA at the highest level:
“I started playing at GHA in Primary Six, coming right through minis and midis into the senior pathway, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. Pulling on the senior jersey means a huge amount to me – there’s immense pride in representing the club I’ve grown up in. Coming through the pathway with my best mates has been massive for my development and for the team. We’re probably the closest-knit group in the league, and it’s incredibly special to be part of a place where you get to play and socialise with your closest friends week after week.”
GHA continues to invest in the future of the club and the sport. If you’d like to learn more about joining the youth pathway, find out more here.
