ORIENTEERING, canoeing and climbing Ben Lomond all feature in Helensburgh Rugby Club’s pre-season plans as coach David Calderwood aims to foster a positive attitude among his squad ahead of the new campaign.

A well-attended players’ meeting saw the blueprint for the season ahead drawn up at the Ardencaple clubhouse on Saturday.

Coach David Calderwood was joined by captain Cammy Kerr in a presentation on the intended playing style, training requirements and above all, the commitment expected of each player in realising the vision.

The squad were invited to comment openly – and this collaborative approach which threw up some interesting ideas to develop the first XV for the season.

READ MORE: Helensburgh in plea for new players as pre-season training starts

Calderwood said: “First of all we set out the plan for pre-season in June and the guys’ input was very positive that we are doing the right things.

“Everyone agreed that if we commit to the pre-season plan it will be effective.”

With the new season less than two months away, Calderwood wanted to stress the importance of commitment - to the club, to the jersey, to the team and especially to training.

To that end, team-building Saturdays were devised, and over July initiatives such as climbing Ben Lomond, trig-point orienteering and canoeing have been planned.

READ MORE: Rugby players celebrate at end-of-season awards

The coach continued: “The idea of having team building was well received, but again will only work if players commit.

“It’s the same with match-day rotas, which generally are still being done by the committee, and other off-field chores.

“There’s no magic bullet in gaining success again. It comes down to three main things.

“One, commitment. This is the biggest factor that will decide if we do what we say we can. We talked a lot; we now need to back it up.

READ MORE: Seven-try win ensures league safety for Helensburgh

“Second, it’s everybody’s responsibility to get on with it, on and off the pitch. We need to stop expecting others to do what we can do ourselves.

“Third, we need to do everything with a positive attitude. Whether it’s our attitude in defence on the pitch, how we conduct ourselves in the clubhouse or how well we do the chores we have been allocated, do it with a positive attitude.”

Helensburgh’s competitive season begins with a double-header away to Dalziel – in the opening round of West Regional Division Two fixtures on Saturday, August 31, and then seven days later in the preliminary round of the West Regional Shield.

Another trip to Lanarkshire, this time in the form of a league game away to Strathaven, follows on September 14, before the Greens’ first home match of the campaign, when Paisley visit Ardencaple on September 21.