West of Scotland Ladies 46 Hillhead/Jordanhill Ladies 19
The march towards the very top of the world can start in the shadow of a supermarket.
The green sign of Waitrose now hangs next to Burnbrae, but the rugby ground has always been a proving ground for rugby greats at West of Scotland.
One of the images depicts Alexander Robertson, a participant in the inaugural men’s international in 1871. He blazed a trail followed by figures like Gordon Brown, Matt Duncan, David Leslie, and Sandy Carmichael. ‘Sandy was the first women’s manager here,’ Scobie notes. ‘He ultimately married one of the players.’
This occurred during the first phase of the team’s existence, which was revitalized in 2017. ‘We now, of course, have another international,’ says Scobie. A photograph of Rachel McLachlan concludes a long series that spans two walls.
While the West of Scotland Ladies were triumphing over Hillhead/Jordanhill in a lively, fluid match, McLachlan was arduously competing against a dominant England in the World Cup quarter-final at Ashton Gate.
West of Scotland Ladies celebrate their victory over Hillhead/Jordanhill Ladies
It’s a battle for possession during West of Scotland’s 46-19 victory at Burnbrae
Jade Scott is the club’s centre and captain, as well as being assistant manager at a gym
McLachlan, of course, moved quickly from Burnbrae but she is well remembered in this patch of East Dunbartonshire.
Scobie, along with the entire club, follows McLachlan’s progress with tremendous pride. He also understands that players often move on. ‘We lost three players to New Zealand last season,’ says Scobie. This wasn’t due to recruitment by the All Blacks but the lure of careers in the health sector elsewhere.
‘The team initially had strong ties with Glasgow Caledonian University,’ Scobie explains. ‘Graduates wanted to continue playing, leading to the modern formation. Consequently, many players are physiotherapists or nurses. When opportunities arose in New Zealand, they chose to relocate.’
Those who remain are lively, passionate, and skilled. ‘I sit at the front with my headphones on,’ Scobie remarks. ‘Women’s team buses are even more lively than the men’s. But they are an excellent group. Their success is evident, having reached the finals at Murrayfield twice.’
The level of player is rising and so are the numbers. There may be scope for a second team in the future. All types are attracted to the oval ball.
‘We had a ballet dancer here,’ says Scobie. ‘That would be the ambition here, to grow the teams and to ensure that we maintain the proper environment for them. They all enjoy it now.’
This was evident during a vibrant display but also in the huddles pre and post-match. It was also obvious in conversations with coaches and players.
Gavin McGreish, the team coach, came into the women’s set-up after a successful spell with the under-18 men’s team. He was initially asked to help out but became fully involved after a coach had to take time away from the sport because of family duties.
Former West of Scotland player Rachel McLachlan, above centre, in action for Scotland against England on Sunday
The West of Scotland players form a huddle during Sunday’s game at Burnbrae
West of Scotland Ladies on the attack as they try to break down their opponents
As well as playing full-back, Amber Johnston is the lead contact of women’s rugby and membership secretary for the club
‘I fell in love with the rugby the women were playing,’ he says. He has encouraged this style. His team plays running rugby with the ball in the hand with both speed and strength in the side.
‘They are a very coachable bunch,‘ he says. ‘They are all relatively new to the game and have so much enthusiasm. They all really engage with the game. I coach women at Glasgow University and they are exactly the same. There seems to be a hunger with all of them and it seems all about the team and the community.’
McGreish maintains that titles and cups are not his priority. ‘Personally, my ambition is to grow the numbers, perhaps eventually have two teams. It is great to see people enjoying their rugby.’
This is obvious on the face of Amber Johnston, who is the lead contact of women’s rugby and also membership secretary for the club. She also plays with vim and vigour at full-back.
‘I love the team aspect of it,’ she says just before kick-off. ‘I moved here from Aberdeenshire and all my closest pals are here now. I have become much more involved in the club.’
She had never played rugby before turning 23, though she had played football at university. ‘I think there is a misconception about how physical rugby is. Yes, it’s a contact sport but with the right training and fitness it’s no more injury prone than other sports.’
Indeed, the most severe injury of the day is incurred by the referee who has to leave the field at half-time because of an injury to his calf. A substitute referee whistles down the road from Bishopbriggs and the game goes on in front of a support that had a big constituency of youngsters.
‘I didn’t have any personal ambitions,’ says Johnston. ‘But I would love the club to grow, especially on the women’s side. We once had to scrape a team together but that is no longer the case.’
An injured player is helped from the field during Sunday’s win over Hillhead/Jordanhill
Neil Scobie is honorary secretary and women’s team manager at West of Scotland
A hard-fought game comes to a conclusion at Burnbrae on Sunday
Both Natasha Burge and Jade Scott have been at Burnbrae since the revitalisation of the women’s side. ‘I have been here since I was 17,’ says Burge, who is still a friend of McLachlan. ‘Rachel and I started together in our first year at uni in 2017. It was apparent that she was going to be a real talent. It was immediate. The first game she played was a friendly and even though she had the least experience she was made captain.
‘We call her Judo because you meet a lot of Rachels and her career as a judo internationalist marked her out. So Judo it was. Her judo past also was apparent on the pitch. She just flipped opponents over.’
Burge played alongside McLachlan for a season and also stayed with her as they both studied physiotherapy.
‘We keep in contact,’ says Burge. ‘It’s great to see her play in a World Cup. The passion she had even back then was incredible and so was her commitment. She would get up at six to go to the gym before uni and then go and train after it. You could see her love for the game.’
Scott says: ‘I also played a season with Rachel and keeping up with her was in itself a problem.’ She recalls the ferocity of the internationalist’s tackling and the depth of her dedication.
Scott, an assistant manager at a gym, is all-in on the sport, too. ’I only started playing at uni during freshers’ week when a girl threw a ball to me and that was it, I was off.’
She adds: ‘It has given me such confidence. It’s a good environment to be part of.
My niece is my biggest fan. So it is good to see children being attracted to the game.’
The childish squeals at the back of the stand had one message. The national team may have come up short. But the game is growing.
