Al Kellock | Update to Supporters

New Managing Director Al Kellock provides an update on news from around the club, including the upcoming Rainbow Cup and a look ahead to 2021/22.

Dear Warrior Nation,

I hope that you’re well and continuing to stay healthy and upbeat as we continue to navigate what is still an unusual and challenging period. While we might still be apart for the time being, we remain connected by our passion for this club and I speak for everyone at Glasgow Warriors when I say that this club wouldn’t be as special as it is without you and the entire Warrior Nation.

I wanted to take some time to write to you now that I am in post and ahead of our opening Rainbow Cup fixtures and provide you with an update on what’s happening in and around Scotstoun.

My sincere thanks go to Nathan Bombrys for everything that he did for the club during his time as Managing Director. I’m grateful to Nathan for providing me with such a solid platform on which to build – this is a club and a city that I have an immense deal of pride to represent, and I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to help this club continue on the journey to be amongst Europe’s elite.

On the field, our players are continuing to lead by example when it comes to adhering to government COVID-19 guidance. They have been exceptional in diligently working within the protocols set by Scottish Rugby, and I must commend everyone – from players and coaches to backroom and front-office staff – for continuing to do their bit to help us return to normality as fast and as safely as possible.

The upcoming Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup is an exciting opportunity for the club to test itself not only against clubs with whom we’re familiar, but also the crème de la crème of South African rugby. Danny and his coaching team have a near-full squad from which to select, with our international stars returning and many of our young talents fit and ready to go having had impressive performances in recent weeks. It promises to be a unique opportunity for this team.

Whilst the Rainbow Cup is at the forefront of our attentions, it’s hard not to look ahead to next season and get excited about what lies in store for Glasgow Warriors. I truly believe that we are building a squad capable of competing with the best in Europe, with signings the calibre of Josh McKay, Jack Dempsey and Domingo Miotti only serving to underline our intent to return to the upper echelons of both the Guinness PRO14 and Heineken Champions Cup. Scottish internationals Duncan Weir, Jamie Bhatti and Simon Berghan only further highlight the strength in depth that we’ll have at our disposal next season, whilst retaining players like George Horne, Scott Cummings and Sam Johnson – not to mention young talents like Ross Thompson, Ollie Smith and Rufus McLean – mean that it’s an incredibly exciting time to be a Glasgow Warriors supporter.

As we look ahead to the future, there is also plenty to be positive about on a wider scale. In the coming year we will begin to see the fruits of CVC’s investment into PRO14 Rugby as a whole, and we can take a lot of pride from competing in a competition with ambitions to further rugby’s global appeal.

Off the field, too, planning is already underway for the 2021/22 campaign. We’re currently in consultation with both internal and external parties as to our Season Ticket and Warrior Nation offerings for the new season. As soon as we have a confirmed structure for our Membership packages, details of these plans will be communicated to you in due course.

Plans are also being made to host another virtual Members Event in the very near future, which will allow you to get some insight from our players – as well as myself – on everything on and off field as we approach the end of this season. Details for the event will be communicated to you in the coming weeks, and I look forward to seeing many of you on the event.

As soon as it’s safe to do so, I look forward to you filling Scotstoun again and creating the special atmosphere we are all missing. It’s been a long and strange year, but if we stick to the current guidance then I’m hopeful that it won’t be too long before we’re cheering on our team in person once again.

Until then, stay safe, stay well, and thank you once again for your continued support of our club.