Derek Stark (rugby union)

Derek Stark (born 13 April 1966 in Kilmarnock) is a Scottish former international rugby union player who played for Glasgow Warriors at the Wing positions[1]

Stark grew up in Kilmarnock playing rugby with Kilmarnock RFC and working in his parents hotel there, The Foxbar Hotel. He represented Glasgow District at U21 as well as 7s.[2]

As a teenager he moved south to England to study a catering course in Woking at the Tante Marie Culinary Academy. While he was there he played amateur rugby for Guildford & Godalming RFC and Chobham RFC.[3]

From rugby union, Stark tried his hand at being a sprinter,[4] He could run 100 metres (330 ft) in 10.6 seconds.[3] On seeing the top Caribbean athletes run slightly quicker, Stark moved back into rugby playing for Boroughmuir RFC.

Stark played for Ayr RFC[5] and was again picked for Glasgow District.

He was part of Glasgow District's famous 1989-90 side which went unbeaten all season, winning that year's Scottish Inter-District Championship outright.[6]

On the amateur provincial Glasgow District's move into professionalism in 1996 as Glasgow Rugby - now Glasgow Warriors - Stark signed a professional contract with the Glasgow side. The move came at a time when Stark was considering a move to play for West Hartlepool RFC.[7]

He notably scored a try on his international Scotland debut in 1993.[3] Stark played for Melrose RFC[8] He played half a game for Melrose; one of the ten club sides that he played for.[9][10]

He went on to play for amateur side Glasgow Hawks.[11][12]

Stark again played for Boroughmuir RFC.[8] and won the BT Cellnet Cup with them in 2001.[13]

Stark played for Scotland U21,[2] Scotland Club XV, Scotland B,[14] Scotland A and Scotland as well as Scotland 7s.[15]

For a short period, Stark - along with international teammates Rowen Shepherd and Gregor Townsend - owned a bar in Edinburgh's Grassmarket area. The bar was aptly named The Three Quarters.[16] Alongside track star Brian Whittle he was a co-director at PB events.[17]