Gavin Blackburn

{{Short description|Scottish rugby union player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Gavin Blackburn

| image =

| birth_name = Gavin Blackburn

| birth_date =

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| nickname =

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| ru_position = Tighthead Prop

| repteam1 = Scotland U21

| repcaps1 =

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| repyears1 = -

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| years2 =

| years3 = 1999-2000

| clubs1 = Saracens

| clubs2 = London Scottish

| clubs3 = Glasgow Warriors

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| apps3 = 0

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| points3 = 0

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| amatyears1 = 1999

| amatyears2 = 1999-2001

| amatyears3 = 2001

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| amatteam1 = Glasgow Hawks

| amatteam2 = Glasgow Southern

| amatteam3 = Stirling County

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| coachyears1 = 2010-13

| coachyears2 = 2012-present

| coachyears3 = 2014-16

| coachteams1 = Dunfermline RFC

| coachteams2 = Scottish Rugby Union Development Officer

| coachteams3 = Biggar RFC

| school = St Ninian's High School, Giffnock

| university =

| relatives =

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}}

Gavin Blackburn is a former Scotland U21 international rugby union player for Glasgow Warriors, who played at the Tighthead Prop position.

Blackburn played for Saracens.{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36040474.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505101950/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-36040474.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-05-05|title=Blackburn Buoyed by Biggar Challenge}} He started there as an apprentice.{{cite web|url=http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/sport/13510443.New_coach_aims_to_help_Dunfermline_bounce_back/|title=New coach aims to help Dunfermline bounce back|work=Dunfermline Press}}

Blackburn played for London Scottish till 1999, when he was signed by Glasgow Hawks.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/HERIOT'S+OF+FIRE+THE+HOT+TIPS.-a060212470|title=HERIOT'S OF FIRE THE HOT TIPS.|publisher=}}

He was then called up to Glasgow Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-109777453.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503094824/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-109777453.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-05-03|title=Shepherd Astray}} He played in all but one of Glasgow's pre-season friendlies of the 1999 - 2000 season; including the home match against Ulster Rugby{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12276927.Much_to_build_on_for_Reds_as_Ulster_triumph_in_the_sun/|title=Much to build on for Reds as Ulster triumph in the sun|work=Herald Scotland}} and making the trip to Canada to play the Ontario Rugby Union{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12274576.Winning_start_to_Canadian_tour_for_Reivers_and_Reds_Coaches_pleased_with_victories_in_opening_games/|title=Winning start to Canadian tour for Reivers and Reds Coaches pleased with victories in opening games|work=Herald Scotland}} and Uruguay A.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12275534.Dispute_settled_in_talks_with_coaches/|title=Dispute settled in talks with coaches|work=Herald Scotland}} The only exception was the final match of the Canadian tour, the Canadian Tri-Continental Tournament final against Edinburgh Rugby, where Blackburn was an unused substitute.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12275709.Treble_wins_boost_Reds_apos__league_aspirations/|title=Treble wins boost Reds' league aspirations|work=Herald Scotland}}

He returned to Glasgow after the successful Canadian tour but his time at the Hawks was short. In November 1999 he was moved on to Glasgow Southern.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12205198.Serious_injury_leads_to_appeal/|title=Serious injury leads to appeal|work=Herald Scotland}} This move to a lower ranked club effectively ended Blackburn's Warriors career and he did not play a further game for the professional provincial side. Hawks spokesman Hugh Barrow said: "Gavin hasn't been able to establish a regular place since arriving from London Scottish. He can't be blamed for wanting to seek first team action."

In 2001, he moved to Stirling County.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Rugby%3A+Melrose+bid+to+leave+champs+Shiel-shocked.-a079310801|title=Rugby: Melrose bid to leave champs Shiel-shocked.|publisher=}} An achilles injury curtailed his career.

He later went on to coach Biggar RFC from 2014. "Biggar is a huge club and one I remember playing against," he said. "It was always a hard game and the support was tremendous. They struggled last season but my job will be to create a culture where everybody enjoys rugby and ultimately starts winning again," said the 35-year-old former Dunfermline coach and SRU development officer. "We will look to bring players in but they have to be the right type of player, on and off the pitch." However Blackburn announced he would quit his coaching role in February 2016 due to family commitments and work pressures.{{cite web|url=http://www.carlukegazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/biggar-rugby-coach-gavin-blackburn-quits-1-4031855|title=Biggar rugby coach Gavin Blackburn quits|publisher=}}

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