Graham Calder
{{Short description|Scottish rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Graham Calder
| birth_name = Graham Calder
| birth_date = c. 1981{{cite web|url=http://www.dalzielrugby.com/?mod=squad&profile=186|title=Graham Calder|publisher=}}
| birth_place = Scotland
| height =
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| ru_currentposition = Scrum-Half
| repteam1 =
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| amatyears1 = 1998-2002
| amatyears2 = 2002-2003
| amatyears3 = 2003-2004
| amatyears4 = 2004-2007
| amatyears5 = 2007-2010
| amatyears6 = 2010-present
| amatteam1 = Dalziel
| amatteam2 = Heriots
| amatteam3 = Peebles
| amatteam4 = Currie
| amatteam5 = Stirling County
| amatteam6 = Dalziel
| amatapps1 = 66
| amatapps2 =
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| amatapps6 = 38
| amatpoints1 = 271
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| amatpoints6 = 11
| ru_amupdate = 3 April 2019
| years1 = 2005-06
| clubs1 = Glasgow Warriors
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| school = Dalziel High School{{cite web|url=https://www.dalzielhigh.org.uk/news/latest-news/162-s1-2-rugby-squad.html|title=S1/2 Rugby Squad - Dalziel High School|first=Dalziel High|last=School|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821201935/https://www.dalzielhigh.org.uk/news/latest-news/162-s1-2-rugby-squad.html|url-status=dead}}
}}
Graham Calder is a Scottish rugby union player, formerly of Glasgow Warriors at professional level and Heriots, Peebles, Currie,{{cite web|url=http://www.currierugby.org/seniors/articles.asp?newsID=253|title=Currie Rugby Football Club|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816222938/http://www.currierugby.org/seniors/articles.asp?newsID=253|url-status=dead}} and Stirling County and currently at Dalziel. Calder plays at Scrum-Half but can also cover at Fly-Half.
Amateur career
Calder started his rugby career at Dalziel RFC before moving to Heriots,{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/heriot-s-to-parade-bright-young-stars-1-849264|title=Heriot’s to parade bright young stars|publisher=}} Peebles,{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12534177.BT_premiership_1__how_they_shape_up/|title=BT premiership 1: how they shape up|publisher=}} Currie,{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/watsonians-too-hot-for-currie-1-1411475|title=Watsonians too hot for Currie|publisher=}} and Stirling County.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/heriots-rugby-c-vs-stirling-county/26416|title=Heriots v Stirling County match report|publisher=Sky Sports}}
He was part of the Glasgow Thistles squad in season 1999-2000. The Thistles were used as an academy side by Glasgow Warriors and sent to New Zealand for rugby training.{{cite web|url=http://wiki.dalzielrugby.com/Representative_Honours#Scotland_U-21|title=Representative Honours - dalziel rugby|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818124220/http://wiki.dalzielrugby.com/Representative_Honours#Scotland_U-21|url-status=dead}}
Calder is now at Dalziel.
Professional career
In season 2005-06, Calder joined Glasgow Warriors on a trial.
A knee injury in the first game of the season to Sam Pinder against Ayr RFC meant that Calder was called upon almost immediately. Coach Hugh Campbell said "He fitted in very well considering he had met up with the team only tonight."{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/05/08/15/coaches-pleased-practice-venture|title=Coaches Pleased With Practice Venture - Scottish Rugby Union|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820153430/http://www.scottishrugby.org/news/05/08/15/coaches-pleased-practice-venture|url-status=dead}}
Although Glasgow Warriors won the match 40 - 10 and his performance was praised, it was Calder's only appearance for the Warriors.{{cite web|url=http://www.glasgowwarriors.com/articles/news/002727.php|title=Ayr v Glasgow Warriors match report|publisher=Glasgow Warriors.com}}
Festival Director
Calder now runs the annual Festival of Youth Rugby in Dalziel.{{cite web|url=http://stv.tv/news/west-central/98927-young-rugby-talent-put-on-show-at-dalziel/|title=Young rugby talent put on show at Dalziel|publisher=}} The festival showcases youth rugby in Scotland, although youth teams from Northern Ireland and England also take part as guest touring teams.{{cite web|url=http://stv.tv/news/west-central/16911-youth-rugby-festival-is-praised-by-scottish-rugby-great/|title=Youth Rugby Festival is praised by Scottish rugby great|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808173017/http://stv.tv/news/west-central/16911-youth-rugby-festival-is-praised-by-scottish-rugby-great/|url-status=dead}} The tournament annually attracts around a thousand boys and girls.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dalziel-festival-rugby-set-saturday-7804881#4WgeOh5c6gVHt4DK.97|title=Dalziel Festival of Rugby is set for Saturday, April 23|first=Leona|last=Greenan|date=22 April 2016|publisher=}}
The festival was started in 1991 by Graham Calder's father Alan Calder. The Alan Calder trophy is handed out to the Under 18 winners. Alan Calder died in 2008 but is still remembered as a Dalziel RFC legend,{{cite web|url=https://www.evensi.uk/26th-annual-festival-of-youth-rugby-dalziel-park/175899594|title=26th Annual Festival of Youth Rugby - 23/04/2016|first=Dalziel Rugby|last=Club|publisher=|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=26 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826064609/https://www.evensi.uk/26th-annual-festival-of-youth-rugby-dalziel-park/175899594|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12458026.Alan_Calder/|title=Alan Calder|publisher=}} having previously been club captain and president.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/dalziel-rfc-skipper-relishing-new-2566059#bEEy0ofyxd420UPf.97|title=Dalziel RFC skipper relishing new season|first=dailyrecord|last=Administrator|date=23 August 2011|publisher=}}
The festival celebrated its silver anniversary in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.dalzielrugby.com/?mod=news&news=1627&page=9&filter=1|title=SILVER ANNIVERSARY OF SHOWCASE RUGBY FESTIVAL SETS THE GOLD STANDARD|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/local-sport/dalziel-rugby-festival-celebrates-25-years-1-3757575|title=Dalziel rugby festival celebrates 25 years|publisher=}} Since 2016 the Festival of Youth Rugby plays its matches on all-weather parks.
Calder stated: "Over the years we’ve seen the playing fields and facilities here at Dalziel evolve to become among the very best in Scotland. It’s fitting the 26th festival action will be played on the brand new all-weather parks, marking that progress. Where the landscape has changed, one thing that’s always remained a constant here is the spirit of rugby. The festival brings all hands to the pump, and the teamwork and the sense of fun and camaraderie has been the very lifeblood of the event since 1991."
Former Dalziel and Glasgow Warriors players like Gary Strain{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwelltimes.co.uk/sport/local-sport/24th-annual-dalziel-festival-provides-a-feast-of-rugby-1-3397180|title=24th annual Dalziel festival provides a feast of rugby|publisher=}} and Brian Robertson support the event.
References
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External links
- [http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/starlets-shine-dalziel-rugby-festival-2535674#V2SDEtq5kv3yS6kb.97 Festival of Youth Rugby in Dalziel - Daily Record]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calder, Graham}}
Category:Scottish rugby union players
Category:Glasgow Warriors players
Category:Stirling County RFC players
Category:Heriot's Rugby Club players