SCOTLAND'S first ever rugby academy will be launched on St Valentine's Day, providing budding young talent with the chance of a springboard to the big time and a job.
The course - spanning Sunday and Monday - is being run by Glasgow Hawks, with the backing of Pendragon Sports Services.
The New Anniesland project is aimed at giving opportunities to players aged 16 to 24 who have left school with little or no qualifications, but who have obvious sporting ability.
Hawks director Iain Russell will lead the team of ''lecturers'', which will also include former SRU technical advisor John Roxburgh along with current players Eugene Martin and Gavin Walsh.
The 70 students, mostly from the west of Scotland, will also be put through their paces by 15 leading club coaches.
Russell said: ''It is an innovative course which is geared up to develop sporting potential and also provide the opportunity to obtain coaching and academic qualifications.
''Pendragon will create 24 new jobs in conjunction with the programme, with the best of the trainees being employed to return to carry on the work in their own communities.''
He added: ''The priority will be to find full employment for all youngsters on the course.''
Kiwi stand-off Martin will be passing on tips on ball-handling and distribution, while Ireland A prop Walsh will be specialising in scrummaging, contact and ball-retention.
Roxburgh will give advice on nutrition, diet and general lifestyle management.
Each day will finish with off live match action and player assessment.
q New rugby recruits at Drumchapel High School were yesterday given the chance to learn from two of their local heroes.
Glasgow hooker Gordon Bulloch and full-back Glenn Metcalfe, stars in Scotland's win over Wales, visited the school to help train pupils whom City of Glasgow development officers Kenny Murray and Alan Louden have recently introduced to the sport.
''This is the ideal time to introduce rugby to the wider community, and it is vital that we have players like Gordon and Glenn available to promote rugby in and around the city,'' said Glasgow district rugby union chief executive David Jordan.
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