Following an internal review of age grade competitions the Scottish Rugby Board have approved a number of changes to the format of competition for next season in line with Scottish Rugby’s strategic plan.


U20 Competition

In response to a number of requests from clubs, and following some successful pilots within the university sector, it has been acknowledged that in order to provide a stepping stone between youth and adult rugby it has been agreed to put in place under 20 (1stJan) playing opportunities for next season with the principal aim of retaining players in the game. Obviously any fixture structure will depend on the number of teams wishing to join and as such I ask that if your club is interested that you notify John Thorburn before the 23rd of May on [email protected]. It is our intention thereafter to hold a planning meeting with all interested parties.


Under 18 Youth/School League

A number of clubs have expressed concern at the level of intensity of competition consistently available within some of the regional leagues and have requested that a national competition be established in order that teams of a similar ability can play each other on a more regular basis both at a national and regional level. This will enable us to raise the standards at all levels of the game and minimise the number of mis-matches that have happened over the last season. Clubs currently playing in the top divisions of the regional under 18 leagues are invited to enter the National under 18 League if they so wish. The top school teams will also be invited to participate. Once again any fixture structure will depend on the number of teams wishing to join and as such I ask that if your club is interested in participating in an U18 (1stJan) national league that once again you contact John Thorburn before the 23rd of May on [email protected]. It is our intention thereafter to hold a planning meeting for all interested parties.


Please note that entry to this league is purely voluntary and each club should consider the most appropriate playing opportunity for them at this moment in time. Many under 18 teams get fixtures of suitable standard within their current regional structure and we have no desire to see clubs travelling long distances for fixtures unnecessarily.


John Lewis National U18(1st Jan) Youth Cup

The format of the John Lewis Youth Cup will change from a qualifying league format to a straight knockout cup played throughout the season, with early rounds played on a regional basis. The age range for this event will also now come in line with all other U18 programmes and have a 1st Jan cut off date. Further more it is our intention to move the final of this competition to later in the season. As a consequence, the pressure to finish the youth leagues prior to the quarter finals will be removed and league competition either national or regional can continue throughout the season on identified dates.




Midi Finals

The format of the national midi finals U15 & U16 will mirror that of the John Lewis National U18 Youth Cup as described above.


We will communicate further information concerning next season once dates have been agreed but in the meantime should you have any questions with regard to this letter please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your regional administrator for clarification:

East Administrator - Neil Crooks [email protected] 07764 178942

Caledonia Administrator – Iain Bowles [email protected] 07736 783755

West Administrator – John Gillies [email protected] 07764 178954



Yours sincerely





Colin Thomson

Head of Community Rugby

Scottish Rugby Union

This article was posted on 1-May-2008, 18:14 by Hugh Barrow.