Five years ago on Tuesday Glasgow Warriors made a signing that might not have had the immediate impact in the fans’ consciousness of a Simone Favaro or a Taqele Naiyaravoro but who has surely had more influence over the club’s fortunes than any single player. Nathan Bombrys has successfully managed the Warriors’ budget and commercial and matchday operations during a period in which the club has grown almost beyond recognition.
He may have been born (and raised) in the USA but Nathan has been immersed in rugby for many years. He first discovered the game at Syracuse University (go Hammerheads!) and played for 17 years. He also qualified as a referee – a fact possibly best kept secret given the Scotstoun crowd’s sometimes fractious relationship with match officials! He wasn’t at SU simply for the rugby though, graduating with a BFA in Film Drama of all subjects. Is Nathan’s influence the real reason for all the dramatic slow-mo shots that are a regular feature of Warriors’ HQ?
The best thing to come out of Michigan since the Ford Mustang, Nathan has been the driving force behind the club’s off-field transformation.
All the developments and improvements have been with the sole intention of creating a stronger club on the pitch and wherever possible he has given the coaches and playing staff the support and conditions to be successful.
Nathan’s first big task as Warriors’ Managing Director was to oversee the move from Firhill to Scotstoun. Crucially this brought the whole of the clubs’ operations – playing; training; commercial – into one site with facilities appropriate for a professional rugby team.
- Total attendance increased by almost 37,000 from the last season at Firhill to 2015/16, the club’s fourth campaign at Scotstoun
- Season tickets holders have increased from 700 to well over 4,000.
- It’s in the area of sponsorships that Nathan has had the most direct influence. When he arrived the Warriors had just 6 sponsors – this has jumped up to 32, with another 75 companies engaged through the Business Club, bringing additional funds and exposure to the club.
- There has been a strong focus on building relationships with clubs and community projects and players, coaches and staff can regularly be seen helping out around the region.
- Most recently of course the Managing Director was one of the key players in delivering Glasgow’s new artificial surface and further extending the capacity of Scotstoun.
- If there’s one key legacy that Nathan has bequeathed to the club though it must be…beards. He has always been on point, setting a trend which has been gleefully taken up by the players. 5 years ago there was nary a beard in sight in the Glasgow squad photo. These days its all about the facial fuzz!
Nathan has a strong profile in the rugby community, not least due to previous roles that include 7 years at Sale Sharks and a spell with the SRU . He recently appeared on the CEO Council at Rugby Expo alongside the Saracens, Wasps and St Helens’ head honchos and is also the Scottish Rugby representative on PRO 12 Rugby Operations Sub-committee. It’s important that Glasgow’s voice is heard as power shifts from Unions to clubs being the key influencers on how the game is developing.
The only disadvantage of the Warriors’ MD being held in such high regard is the risk that he is poached by another organisation! As an example he was mentioned in dispatches during recent speculation over the hiring of a new CEO for Rugby USA. Fortunately for now Nathan seems content with life on the West coast of Scotland and remains ambitious to take the club further. As the man himself said: “I want to work for a club that wins the Pro12 and wins the European Cup.”
There’s work still to be done and the head of the Warriors’ American enclave remains the right man to try and lead Glasgow forward.
topofthemoongw
He has done so well at Glasgow, sounds like the kind of man who could bring about positive change in South African Rugby. Hands off him though am very happy for him to be staying put in Glasgow.
Scotland playing Spain at Glasgow’s home ground in a qualifying match for Women’s Rugby World Cup tonight
Halftime: Scotland 5/10 Spain.
COME ON SCOTLAND!
Able to sit down and watch this game for this first time tonight. Still no score in the 2nd half – Scotland 5/10 Spain 66th min
Nice running and passing by Spain creates an overlap but an overhead forward pass was ruled, otherwise it would have been a try in the right hand corner for them
Lots of ground gained by Spain’s left wing taking play from Spain side of halfway deep in Scotland territory
Spain were 5m out and good defence from Scotland cause Spain to knock on, scrum to Scotland about 10m from their tryline. Scotland need to get well into Spain’s half soon
High tackle by Spain ref calling penalty advantage.
No advantage ruled as Scotland missed touch with clearance kick
Poor penalty kick hands possession straight back to Spain but Scotland have turned it over
Scotland have possession good run and great offload just outside Spain 22 now
Nice attacking the line and gaining a few metres by Helen Nelson Scotland flyhalf. Penalty to Scotland near the touchline and it’s a lineout to Scotland 6m out from Spain’s tryline.
Scotland need to score from this, 74th min
Scotland maul takes them to a few metres from Spain’s line but good defence by Spain pushes the maul into touch
Scotland stole Spain’s lineout and are attacking
Near the left touch line 5m out Scotland have possesion
AHH NO SCOTLAND INTO TOUCH A FEW METRES OUT. But ref calling for a possible high tackle
That will be harsh if ruled a high tackle as the Scotland player was ducking into it.
No high tackle ruled and Spain secure their lineout 7m out
Some big hits coming in from Spain and eventually about 5m inside their 22 they earn a relieving penalty at the breakdown
Helen Nelson named player of the match by the commentators.
Scotland steal Spain’s lineout and now earn a penalty a few metres inside Spain’s half, 79th min, lineout to Scotland just inside Spain’s 22, surely last chance for Scotland
Strong maul then penalty advantage to Scotland eventually ref brings them back for the penalty
5m lineout to Scotland COME ON!
Scotland mess up the lineout and ref blows final whistle.
Final Score: Scotland 5/10 Spain. Well done Spain.
Scotland have a lot of work to do in the second leg in Spain if they are to qualify for the World Cup. Maybe in the end when they had a penalty in a kickable position they should have gone for the 3 points, if they win in Spain but not by more than 5 points they may regret that.
Final score: Georgia 20/16 Samoa
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