6 GHA u17 lads that joined up with the Glasgow Thistles in their 2 week trip to Italy in June. 17 players (8 from Stirling County, 6 from GHA and 3 from Cumnock) trained at Viadana’s ground in Italy improving their core skills, ball handling and strength & conditioning. This trip was partially funded by the Leonardo da Vinci fund from the EU , which enables players to experience rugby in a European country other than their own.
The players are from left to right – Dominic Barrett, David Scott, Adam Barnett, Andy Mather, Brendan Barrett & Nick McCaw
3 players, Adam Barnett, Rory Hughes & David Scott from the GHA u17 team were invited to join the 30 strong Scotland u17 squad that are currently in Vallodolid in Spain. This trip is used to sharpen the skills of these players in preparation for their transition (hopefully!) to the Scotland u18 squad. A typical day would see them start with breakfast at 8am followed by a full-on gym session and pool recovery afterwards. After lunch and a compulsory siesta, due to the
heat, the players then embark on a rugby skills session and a further period of pool recovery and ice baths. After dinner they all participate in a team meeting to discuss the day’s progress and to plan for the next day’s session. If they have any energy left they have some free time till lights out at 11pm. As part of the trip they are playing in 2 friendly matches against older opposition in the shape of a Catalan u19 team and in the second week against Spain u19’s.
2 further players, Josh Rutnagur & Craig Williamson, from the GHA u17 squad have also been selected to participate in this year’s SRU Struan Camp in Perthshire. This is where the best players across Scotland from u15-u18 are put through their paces by SRU coaches in order to progress to representative rugby at District & national level.
We wish all these boys the best of success at their various camps and look forward to welcoming them back to the GHA u18 squad this season.
