Meet the Warriors who are digging for victory

Published on 12/07/2012 01:38

GLASGOW’S rugby players took up spades and shovels yesterday as part of unique community project ahead of the new season.

After a typical morning of skills work, the Warriors squad were given the details of their latest team-bonding session on arrival at Clober Farm in Milngavie: the construction of a new garden as part of a new facility project for Spinal Injuries Scotland.

The ground floor of the 280-year-old Grade C listed Clober Farm House was bequeathed to SIS in 2007 by Vivian Donaldson, and they identified huge potential in the property and gardens as state-of-the-art accommodation for people with spinal cord injuries. The charity Hearts and Balls, set up to support seriously injured rugby players, stepped in with a £20,000 grant and called on the Warriors to transform the “Hearts and Balls Garden”, even if they knew little about it until yesterday.

Despite the rain and knee-high sludge, Scotland stand-off Ruaridh Jackson insisted: “This is brilliant. Digging holes and 
laying paths is not something I’ve done in pre-season before, but the boys are enjoying the change from the pounding we’re taking in the gym and pitch, and it’s great to do something that will make a serious difference in our community.”

After four hours of clearing mud and pouring cement, the squad was rewarded with a hog roast.