Border Telegraph | Sport | Gala building for the future

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 1st February, 2006 10:06

Gala building for the future

By Border Telegraph Sport

GALA Rugby Club is going back to the grassroots to develop the game at Netherdale with the appointment of a youth development officer.

Ian Millar, who has been involved with rugby in the town all of his life, except as a brief spell as an exile at Melrose, said that he was looking forward to the challenge of putting Gala back on the map.

He had to stop playing at the age of 21 due to a back injury, but continued in coaching and on the administration side.

The job is to promote rugby in the Galashiels and surrounding area by encouraging youngsters to get involved in the game.

And the announcement comes on the back of success for Galashiels Academy and Gala Wanderers at Murrayfield over the weekend.

“I will be working closely with the Mini sections, primary schools, the Academy, Triangle, and eventually the Wanderers,” he said.

“I will also work with the people involved to make sure that they are happy with the way things are going – and if not we will make the changes they want.

“The main thing is to keep the fun side going and make sure the kids are enjoying it.”

The long-term goal is to develop players who will eventually play in the Gala 1st XV. “The more kids we get involved, the more players will come through and hopefully this will have a knock-on effect through the system.

“I hope that Gala will have a side that will be all local home-bred players.”

Millar’s new post, a one-year contract initially, kicks in on February 20.

The post has been funded thanks to an award from SPORTSMATCH of £10,000 to match the sponsorship from Scania GB (Scotland) Ltd and a car deal with John Borthwick, of Charlesfield at St Boswells.

Millar’s CV in rugby is impressive — played with the Academy, captained Melrose Colts, two seasons at Gala Star, referee, coached the Mini Maroons and moved on to Walkerburn and the Selkirkshire Blues -— and he was involved with the Academy under-15 team which won the Bell Lawrie final on Friday night

“I want to try and create a feeling of belonging and wanting to play for Gala,” he added.

The appointment has been welcomed by Gala president Richard Chatfield. “”We want to encourage youngsters into the game as the grassroots seem to have been lost in the ‘mess’ at Murrayfield,” he said.

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