Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC


Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians Rugby Football Club, often abbreviated to GHA and colloquially referred to as G-HA!!, is a rugby union club based in the Giffnock area of East Renfrewshire, Scotland. The club plays its home matches at Braidholm and currently competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top tier of Scottish club rugby.

History

The club was established by the 2002 merger between Glasgow Southern RFC and Hutchesons' - Aloysians' RFC. The former club was originally known as Clarkston but was renamed in 1995 with the ambition of creating the premier side on the south side of Glasgow. The latter club was also formed as the result of an earlier merger between the former pupils clubs of Hutchesons' Grammar School and St Aloysius' College. The merged club is now firmly established as the premier club on the south side of Glasgow.

Hutchesons' GSFP

The Club was formed in 1923 playing out of Auldhouse, the school's sports ground in Eastwood. Admitted as a full member of the Scottish Rugby Union in 1937, the Hutchesons’ Club entered the National League system in Season 1973 at 2nd Division level, having dispensed with tradition to some degree by opting for "Open" status two years previously, a significant decision forced, by necessity, on many Scottish F.P. Clubs at that time.
1990 was to see further constitutional change when the club agreed amalgamation with close friends and one time rivals to form Hutchesons' Aloysians R.F.C.

Old Aloysians RFC

By contrast, the Old Aloysians club was formed in 1955 for the sole purpose of undertaking a challenge match against the extremely successful Saint Aloysius' College 1st XV. The unexpected success of this venture resulted in a decision to seek regular fixtures which led to a continuing upsurge in interest and the inevitable and rapid expansion of the F.P. Club. The first fixture was against Hutchesons' Grammar FP RFC., coincident with the invitation from Hutchesons' Grammar School to Saint Aloysius' College 1st XV to undertake regular fixtures. This long standing friendship led to the amalgamation in season 1990–91.

Hutchesons Aloysians

Richard Allan was selected as the club’s first full internationalist for the Irish fixture at Murrayfield in 1969, to be followed by other distinguished players who gained representative honours. Brothers Gordon and Alan Bulloch were to gain national caps, with the former captaining the national side on several occasions. Ray Nelson was to achieve caps for the United States national team the U.S. Eagles.

Clarkston RFC

Unlike the two Former Pupil Clubs now involved at Braidholm, Clarkston RFC, since its formation in 1937, had always been an "Open" club, created by a variety of former pupil rugby players who did not wish to undertake cross city travel to indulge in their sport. Significantly the first club chairman was a Glasgow Academical, the first President a Glasgow High former pupil and the longest serving club captain and coach, Andrew Williams a product of Allan Glen’s.
Playing initially at the local authority's Overlee ground, years of tireless fund raising saw the Club's new facility at Braidholm opened by S.R.U. President Charlie Drummond in January 1971. The club entered the new National League structure in 1973 at 4th Division level, rising through the years to division two. With three pitches, floodlights, 250 seater stand and expanded clubhouse, in recognition of its changing character and by a significant membership majority at the May 1995 A.G.M., the club altered its name to Glasgow Southern RFC.

Glasgow Southern RFC

Over several years a variety of players graduated through the Club participation from both youth and senior level to achieve representative status. Full International caps were awarded to Gordon McIlwham, and Euan Murray while others have achieved selection at Youth level.

Further development

Agreement reached with a development organisation saw the original 1970 clubhouse demolished to make way for a health club. A new, state of the art, clubhouse was formally opened by S.R.U. President Ronnie Young at Braidholm in January 2002. The Glasgow Southern name was only to survive for seven years before it became evident to all concerned that the sport on the south side of Glasgow would be best served through amalgamation, an initiative formalised in May 2002 with the formation of Glasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians Rugby Football Club. Plans for an all-weather artificial pitch at Braidholm were announced in 2018.

Senior rugby

GHA run 4senior sides, catering for all abilities and attitudes - The club's 1st XV and 2nd XV teams play at a highly-competitive national level, with the 3rd XV competing within the regional reserve leagues. Additionally there is a long established veterans team who participate in a variety of social, friendly and touring matches.

Recent results

Following the amalgamation, GHA took the place of the newly promoted Hutchesons Aloysians in Premiership Division Two, with the new club achieving promotion to Premiership Division One at the first attempt. The club has since spent four seasons in the top division - 2003/04, 2004/05, 2007/08 and 2019/20. Following three seasons in Premiership Two which saw a wealth of the club's most experienced players depart, ended in relegation to Premiership Three for season 2011/12.
In Premiership Three, with the arrival of a new coaching team and experienced ex-professionals Andrew Henderson and Hefin O'Hare GHA managed to finish second but due to league restructuring were denied promotion. Within the newly regionalised third tier of 2012/13 the club achieved promotion by winning RBS Championship A thanks to a historic 23-0 final day, winner-takes-all match away to local rivals Cartha Queens Park.
Following a difficult first season back in the second tier the club once again had a complete change of coaching team, which almost saw a surprise return to the Premiership during season 2014/15, only to be denied 39-22 in a relegation / promotion play-off with Stirling County. In yet another severe reversal of fortunes, the club suffered a season of disappointment in 2015/16, flirted with relegation until safety was assured on the penultimate weekend of the season.
After two consecutive third place finishes in National League One; GHA were elevated to the Premiership for season 2019/20 due the restructuring of Scottish club rugby. With the creation of the SRU's new semi-professional Super 6 competition, six of the existing Premiership teams would be demoted to National League One with the top six teams in that league taking their place. The club had mixed success in a very competitive league; with very little separating play-off and relegation places, notable achievements did include first ever away victories at Edinburgh Accies and league leaders Marr. GHA secured their Premiership status with a losing bonus point in their final game against Selkirk. However, three weeks later the 2019/20 season was declared null and void by the SRU due to the coronavirus pandemic, with no promotion or relegation between leagues.

Playing overview

Record correct as of 01/04/2020
OpponentPlWDLFADiff.Win %Last Victory
Aberdeen Grammar Rugby2211011619615450%13/10/2018
Ardrossan Academicals RFC6501187949383.33%22/12/2012
Ayr RFC11227143210-6727.27%19/02/2005
Berwick RFC211056401675%24/09/2005
Biggar RFC18130543132810372.22%20/02/2016
Boroughmuir Rugby9009152328-1760%-
Broughton FP RFC1100571245100%16/02/2008
Cartha Queens Park RFC1491437625012667.86%23/08/2019
Currie RFC9207115232-11722.22%05/01/2008
Dalziel RFC55001536687100%14/12/2013
Dumfries Rugby Club5203138766240%26/01/2013
Dundee HSFP196013352525-17331.58%01/12/2018
Dunfermline RFC550022662164100%03/11/2012
Edinburgh Academicals FC155010220385-16533.33%14/12/2019
Edinburgh University RFC110024618100%18/02/2006
Ellon RFC1100291415100%03/12/2005
Falkirk RFC85032401707062.50%17/02/2018
Gala RFC1810174143456958.33%23/03/2019
Glasgow Academicals RFC1100501535100%01/11/2003
Glasgow Hawks10208160285-12520%25/01/2020
Grangemouth Stags3300944054100%22/11/2003
Greenock Wanderers RFC550019692104100%07/12/2013
Haddington RFC85122171378068.75%03/03/2012
Hamilton RFC85032261982862.50%30/03/2019
Hawick RFC11308184274-9027.27%01/12/2007
Hawick YM RFC1100241212100%20/01/2007
Heriot's FP7304128177-4942.86%15/09/2007
Hillfoots RFC110028325100%10/01/2009
Hillhead Jordanhill RFC1370634823111753.85%21/03/2015
Howe of Fife RFC7403166205-3957.14%11/02/2017
Jed-Forest RFC226115434596-16229.55%19/10/2019
Kelso RFC22150758140817368.18%19/01/2019
Kirkcaldy RFC1070329715514270%12/01/2019
Lasswade RFC310287691833.33%21/02/2009
Lenzie RFC110043340100%30/10/2004
Livingston RFC110022913100%02/11/2002
Marr RFC10217173286-11325%07/12/2019
Melrose RFC7214137171-3435.71%12/03/2005
Morgan Academy RFC2200745222100%19/11/2011
Murrayfield Wanderers FC55001546193100%24/08/2017
Musselburgh RFC1390447234412869.23%22/09/2018
Orkney RFC1100471730100%27/08/2016
Peebles RFC13706319310953.85%03/10/2015
Perthshire RFC43012284918075%30/08/2014
Selkirk RFC206113346479-13332.50%16/03/2019
Stewart's Melville FP RFC1811074684293961.11%10/03/2018
Stirling County RFC9306144238-9433.33%03/10/2009
Watsonian FC153012262467-20520%06/12/2014
West of Scotland FC2200662046100%12/01/2013
Whitecraigs RFC2200762749100%23/02/2013
Total4242131020110184961756751.42%-

Current 1st XV Squad

Centurions Club

The following players have represented GHA's 1st XV on more than 100 occasions. Appearances for the original constituent clubs are also included on this list.
These totals are accurate to 01/04/2020.
#100NameNationalityPositionCapsDebut100th CapNote
TBCAndrew HealyFly-HalfTBC--*
TBCAlistair MenziesFull-BackTBC31/08/2002-*
TBCEuan BaillieFly-Half21030/08/200330/08/2003†
TBCRory WatsonWing16231/08/200204/12/2004†
TBCJohn FitzpatrickBack-RowTBC31/08/2002-†
TBCIan SmithLock16030/08/2003-*
TBCJames NoonanFly-Half17231/08/200217/02/2007*
TBCRichard NolanPropTBC31/08/2002-*
TBCTrevor CarmichaelLockTBC31/08/2002-†
TBCMartin DunnFly-HalfTBC-19/01/2008†
TBCPaul HarkinsBack-Row131---
TBCChris BinnieCentre / Full-Back139---
TBCNiall CassieCentre130---
TBCAndrew BoagBack-Row / Scrum-HalfTBC---
TBCRoss McClymontFull-BackTBC---
TBCAndrew RushforthCentreTBC---
TBCZander McIlwhamPropTBC--*
TBCIain NelsonHookerTBC31/08/2002-*
19Rangi JericevichWing16806/09/200328/09/2013-
20Ryan JenkinsLock / Back-Row11708/12/200704/01/2014-
21Andrew GillmanScrum-Half / Full-Back16530/08/200829/08/2015-
22Andrew HendersonCentre10227/08/201126/03/2016-
23Alan AuldBack-Row / Wing10029/10/201123/04/2016*
24Jamie AuldLock / Back-Row11603/10/200908/10/2016-
25Adam BarnettLock12921/08/201027/01/2018-
26Scott CarsonProp128-24/03/2018-
27Murray HoustonScrum-Half10720/03/201020/10/2018-
28Donald MalcolmHooker / Back-Row10004/09/200410/11/2018-

*Appearances include games played for Glasgow Southern/Clarkston

†Appearances include games played for Hutchesons' Aloysians

BoldActive Players

Junior Rugby

GHA has a large junior rugby section consisting of over 300 boys and girls ranging from micros up to Under 18s. The junior section has contributed several players to the senior set up including James Eddie who subsequently signed for Glasgow's professional team, the Glasgow Warriors.
GHA's ongoing ties with Hutchesons' Grammar School and St. Aloysius' College can also be seen from the large number of pupils and former pupils of both schools playing at the club. Links have also been forged with local state schools, particularly Williamwood High School and Mearns Castle High School whose pupils and former pupils are also widely represented throughout the club.

The GHA Rugby Academy

was established in 2012 and is aimed at helping talented young players at the club to realise their potential and achieve their rugby ambitions.
The GHA Rugby Academy offers the club's most talented young players an opportunity to experience a professional approach to training and playing rugby. It was set up to produce future 1st XV players for GHA RFC, provide more players for the Glasgow district set up and ultimately get more players into National Age Grade Squads. It was seen as a necessary development and use of the clubs limited resources in order to develop the long term sustainability of the club and support its long term ambitions.

Notable players

This is a list of current and former GHA players who have gained full-time professional contracts within a full-time professional rugby squad and/or achieved senior International, International A or International 7s Honours.
This list does not include players who were allocated to play for GHA in the Scottish Rugby draft whereby players from Scotland's full-time professional squads - Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby - are annually drafted by Scottish Premiership clubs to play for them on weekends when not selected for the professional teams. During GHA's spell in the Premiership, current Scotland Internationals Johnnie Beattie and John Barclay were among those to be allocated to play for them.

Post the 2002 amalgamation

The following players gained either Under 20 or Under 21 Age Grade International honours whilst playing senior rugby at GHA.
Under 21
Under 20

Head coaches

Honours