The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stuart Hogg: From teen star to hero
WE LOOK BACK ON THE PATH TO THE TOP FOR ONE OF SCOTLAND’S YOUNG HEROES – AND HIS VERY PROMISING FUTURE
Back in the 2008/09 season when16-year old Stuart Hogg was making his way into senior rugby with Hawick YM he could not have imagined the journey he was about to go on.
Growing up in the Borders town, like many of his friends all the young Hogg wanted to do was play rugby – and boy has he done that in some style!
In April and May 2009 he came to the attention of the wider rugby audience with some amazing showings for Ha wick Y Ma nd then Hawick on the Kings of the Sevens circuit, and his rise has been rapid.
He was soon turning out for Scotland at age-grade level and was signed up by Glasgow Warriors.
A debut came for the pro side at the age of just 19 in early 2011 and by the end of 2016 he was fast approaching 100 appearances for the Scotstoun outfit. With them he lifted the Guinness PRO12 trophy in 2014/15 and he also went on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.
However, it is in a Scotland jersey that he has really captured the nation’s hearts and Hogg, now just 24, has become a talismanic figurefor Scotland under Vern C otter. The full-back, who made his debut in 2012, is expected to reach 50 caps for his country during this year’s RBS 6 Nations. “I loved playing rugby with my friends in Hawick when I was younger and it is all about having fun,” Hogg said. “That is why I try and encourage as many youngsters as possible to play the game – and enjoy it – because you never know where you might end up.” Former Scotland centre Graeme Morrison, who now works for RBS, said: “Stuart was a young player coming through when I was coming to the end of my career and he was a great talent even then.
“He has worked hard on his game and is such a great attacking threat for Scotland who excites the crowds.”
Hogg’s showings in last year’s event eventually saw him crowned the RBS Player of the Championship – and the great news for Scottish rugby fans is that there is much more to come from the man who just loves to entertain.
Off the pitch Hogg is also a great example for youngsters, as are his international team mates.
Like his hero Bill McLaren used to, Hogg, who has a wife and a young family, always enjoys returning to his roots in Hawick and he is an inspiration to all young sports fans in the town and beyond.