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Clubs challenged to continue good work as Scottish Hydro Electric come
on board
Scotland's rugby clubs are being challenged to continue to win new
recruits in an exciting, landmark year for the community game.
Season 2007-08 sees a new sponsor - Scottish Hydro Electric - join
Scottish Rugby. The first of a three year deal will see the energy
company support league and cup competitions in the shape of the Scottish
Hydro Electric Premiership; the Scottish Hydro Electric National
Leagues; the Scottish Hydro Electric Regional Leagues; and the Scottish
Hydro Electric Cup.
Speaking at the season launch at Murrayfield today, Colin Thomson, SRU
Head of Community Rugby, declared: "This year is a momentous one. It's
a fresh start with Scottish Hydro Electric becoming a key partner but
it's also testimony to the durability and strength of our game, given
this is the 150th anniversary of rugby in Scotland.
"Last season, clubs and schools, working in tandem with Scottish Rugby,
local authorities and other key stakeholders, were able to deliver a 7%
increase in adult playing numbers and a 19% increase in youths playing
the game.
"This season, on the back of the increased exposure the game will
receive in the media through Rugby World Cup and the involvement of a
proactive partner in Scottish Hydro Electric in our community game, we
have a golden opportunity to further encourage more people, men and
women, to become involved in rugby."
Kevin Greenhorn, Head of Marketing for Scottish Hydro Electric, said:
"We are excited to be involved with Scottish Rugby at a time when the
strength of the game is apparent in both its durability and the sense of
anticipation about the season ahead.
"We know how important it is to nurture and maintain high standards if
you want to thrive. Driven by the clubs' enthusiasm and hard work we
want our support to complement efforts to keep rugby strong and vibrant
in communities across Scotland. We wish each and every club a
successful season ahead."
Scottish Rugby and Scottish Hydro Electric have already announced
increased funding packages to clubs this season worth more than
£500,000.
Scottish Rugby is pledged to pay the accident insurance premiums for
all clubs, a £250,000 investment in the club game.
All Premiership, National League, Regional League and National Cup
clubs, competing in Scottish Hydro Electric competitions, have signed up
to the Participation Agreement, which will see a boost of £121,000 in
the club game.
Further funding comes in the shape of Scottish Rugby's Travel Support
Scheme (£110,000); the Player Reward Scheme
(£30,000); minor works
grants (£16,000); Scottish Hydro Electric's Club of the Month (£4,500);
and Scottish Hydro Electric's Kit for Development (£30,000).
Greenhorn added: "Scottish Hydro Electric are committed to developing
our partnership and will bring forward further innovative initiatives in
the months ahead."
Meanwhile, after extensive discussions between clubs in Scottish Hydro
Electric Premiership Division 1, Scottish Rugby staff and the
Performance Advisory Forum, a list of pro- players allocated to those
clubs has been agreed.
Henry Edwards, Chair of the Performance Advisory Forum, said: "The list
has been drawn up after major consultation between all parties
concerned. The pro-players involved are those considered by the
pro-team coaches most likely to be available to the club game.
"The players are allocated in most instances to the club from which
they first signed a professional contract. Clubs were also asked to
advise of positions in which they felt they could benefit from a
player."
In matches in which pro-players are involved the differential between
the competing clubs would be one player.
The full list is:-
Hawick - Geoff Cross
Melrose - Mark Robertson and Calum MacRae
Boroughmuir - Simon Cross and Augusto Allori
Heriot's - Matt Dey, Alan MacDonald, Scott Newlands, Nick De Luca and
John Houston
Watsonians - Steven Lawrie and Andrew Turnbull
Edinburgh Accies - Ross Rennie and Greig Laidlaw
Currie - Ben Cairns, Andrew Kelly, Ally Warnock and Andrew Easson
GHA - Scott Barrow, Ben Prescott and James Eddie
Glasgow Hawks - Mike Adamson, Max Evans, Eric Milligan, Colin Shaw and
Steve Swindall
Ayr - Sean Marsden, Ed Kalman and Dan Turner
Stirling County - Ryan Grant and Roland Reid
Dundee HSFP - Richie Vernon and Moray Low
This article was posted on 29-Aug-2007, 17:44 by Hugh Barrow.
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