Greenock Wanderers, Birkmyre and Cowal
The Regional Development Officer Programme started about 7 years ago and has enabled rugby to be taken to
schools in Inverclyde that didn't get it before (which is nearly all of them), to try and encourage kids to take up
the sport. The programme has also been instrumental in helping Greenock Wanderers, Birkmyre and Cowal grow as
Clubs. The statistics below show the numbers of kids now involved in rugby at Greenock but doesn't give the
full story on how that has helped the Scottish game. Greenock Wanderers is a progressive club and through the
Youth set up have managed to get to and stay in the 3rd tier of Scottish rugby, which for a provisional club in
an area that is predominantly football is quite outstanding. However not only is rugby locally being helped,
but Premier rugby presently has 5 players that came through our Youth system and moved on to play at Ayr and
Hawks. They go with the blessing of the Club as it makes them better players and they have all said they will
come back eventually and help bring on the younger players.
The benefits to rugby due to the RDO position have been substantial over these years:
- A 43% (221 - 317) increase in youth rugby players at Greenock and Birkmyre
- A 208% (127 - 392) increase in Inverclyde school players
- 209 P6 - P7 students receiving a 6 week healthy eating (FSA) programme
- Greenock Wanderers gaining promotion to Premier 3 and holding at that level
- Birkmyre being club of the month in 2010
- Inverclyde being identified for Wooden Spoon pilot
Greenock as a Club has 'bucked' the trend of most clubs who are struggling to field a 2nd XV by putting out a 3rd
XV this year. This is due to the number of youth players attracted in by the RDO that have now gone on to senior
rugby. Virtually the only way Greenock get new players is through our Youth system. Our RDO has also broken new ground this
year by attracting enough female players to Greenock Wanderers to form a Ladies team.
At Cowal RFC the RDO works with the four main Schools in the catchment area. This was received very well by
both the kids and teachers with good feedback coming to the club from the head teachers and has helped grow the the numbers
at the Club.
At Birkmyre RFC the numbers in the Mini/Midis are up 39% to 180 kids. They have also started a girls team.
The RDO has added Gryffe High and Bridge Of Weir Primary schools as feeders to Birkmyre, and due to this, they
expect substantially more growth in the coming seasons.
Funds donated by Friends of Scottish Rugby are helping us to continue the development of Junior rugby in the area.
John R McDougall
GWRFC President
Click below for Greenock Wanderers website:
Greenock Wanderers