Graeme Blackhall, Scottish Futures U18 7s head coach shared his experience of joining the coaching team last season.

Blackhall, a former player for Boroughmuir, is a PE Teacher at Hutchesons’ Grammar School as well as a rugby coach for Hillhead Jordanhill 1st XV. After gaining rugby coaching experience at Hillhead and at Hutchesons’ Grammar, he had the opportunity to take on a role with the Glasgow & The West Academy U18 boys’ team.

Blackhall explained how he found out about the chance to coach the Scottish Futures Programme last year.

He said: “I had been told about the opportunity and did some further research via the Scottish Rugby website. It was an exciting new role with a chance to coach in a performance programme where the players are self-driven.”

Going into the second season as Head Coach of the U18 7s programme, Blackhall has also been given the chance to work with the Scottish Futures U20s squad as well as support Scott Forrest with the Scotland Women 7s squad.

Talking about the highlight so far from his time with the Scottish Futures programme, he said: “It’s no exaggeration to say that the highlight has been working with the players. Their talent, commitment to better themselves and how receptive they are, make it a real pleasure.

“The opportunity to coach the Scotland Women 7s team has been great. I’m looking forward to upcoming 7s tournaments with both squads over the next few months. Lastly, it’s always nice to see players you have worked with get a chance to win a senior cap.”

Blackhall is looking forward to the Talent ID day this Saturday to have his first look at the potential players for the Scottish Futures U18 7s squad.

He added: “Following this weekend, I will have a good idea of the make-up of the squad and our chances in Poland.

“If the girls respond this season as well as last, we will enter it in a good place. The coaching team are pretty excited, it’s a great opportunity and a real challenge to work toward.”

The Scottish Futures U18 7s squad will be playing for the first time this summer in the Rugby Europe U18 7s Girls Championship. This tournament will see them play competitively against a much higher level than they have done previously.

Last season, Scottish Futures U18 7s took part in the inaugural Home Nations U18 7s tournament. This year they will be hoping to improve on their fourth-place finish. The development of the Scottish Futures programme this year has been an opportunity for the players to all get top class coaching over the whole season.

The Scottish Futures Programme is currently advertising for two assisstant coaching roles for the 2019/2020 season.

This opportunity is ideal for any aspiring coach like Blackhall to develop their skills in a professional and world class environment. Details of the roles can be found on the Scottish Rugby website.