GHA Enter U16 and U18 Open Competition for 2026/27 Season

Dear Members,

I’m delighted to share some very exciting news for everyone connected with GHA.

We have been formally accepted into the new top level U16 an U18 Open Competition announced by the Scottish Rugby Union for the 2026/27 season.

This is a significant moment for our club. It reflects the progress we have made on the pitch in recent years, alongside the strength of our youth pathway and the continued commitment of our players, coaches, parents, and volunteers across all sections.

GHA are delighted to be accepted into the Open Competition. Our club’s youth players have always been a material part of GHA, and today’s announcement sees a new generation of GHA Midis exposed to a high standard of rugby which will accelerate their development as we aim to bring as many players through to our senior teams.

I’d also like to acknowledge the considerable work Steve Annand and Dameon Chaney have put into GHA’s application. There’s a lot of planning to be done but our rugby programme has made a giant leap forward.

This opportunity strongly aligns with our mission to be Scotland’s leading community rugby club, from Minis to the Premiership. It gives us a platform to further strengthen the connection between our youth and senior sections and continue building a club that develops its own players and competes at the highest level.

Steve Annand GHA Youth Convener and Club Director:

“We’re delighted with the opportunity to join the Open Competition for season 2026/27. The Board, Players & Coaches are excited about the challenge ahead and look forward to coming up against teams from the top tier of Scottish school and club rugby. We have worked hard as a club over a number of years to develop our environment -adding a new S&C programme, appointing key coaching position with Dameon Chaney returning to the club as Director of Youth Rugby, Andrew Gillman as U18 Head Coach and Ryan Jenkins as S&C manager. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Thorntons LLP, JWF and our wider Club sponsors for their continued support of Youth rugby at GHA”

You can read news coverage here:

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Gordon Adams
President
GHA Rugby Club