Monday, 24 August 2009
Scottish Hydro’s 15 mega-watt Pitlochry Power Station played host to Scottish Rugby’s 15-a-side league launch today as the governing body announced an additional six-figure investment in club rugby.

Scottish Rugby has made an extra £100,000 available to help Scotland’s clubs cover the cost of match official expenses taking the governing body’s annual investment in the club game to around £1.7m.

In the second announcement of the day, Scottish Rugby, in partnership with League and Cup sponsor Scottish Hydro, has allocated £60,000 to the new Scottish Hydro Club Facilities Fund, which offers rugby clubs up to £2000 matched-grant funding to finance their own club improvements.

This year's winners

Head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “The number of people playing the game is growing year on year and Scottish Rugby recognises that, in order to fully support the increased number of players, we must look at ways in which we can offer more assistance to clubs.

“By covering the cost of match officials and offering facilities grants to clubs we aim to help alleviate the financial burden that some clubs may be experiencing in the current financial climate.”

Thomson was joined at the launch by five representatives of Scotland’s top six Scottish Hydro league winning rugby clubs who gathered at the power station to demonstrate how their own commitment and investment into development is powering their championship winning performances.
Five of the top six league winning clubs invest heavily in their club development, with each joining Scottish Rugby in partnership to employ a club development officer who is dedicated to recruiting and retaining rugby players, creating links with local schools and developing future plans for further improvement and growth.
Similarly, five of the six winners were recognised last season with the Scottish Hydro Club of the Month award which rewarded their outstanding rugby development mid-season (a fundamental part of the award) with a £1,000 prize.

Thomson added: “Club rugby is the bedrock of the sport in Scotland with volunteers, players and spectators across the country all gearing up for another fantastic season of rugby.

“Scottish Rugby is fully committed to club rugby and we are delighted to see that clubs across Scotland are entering into a development partnership with the governing body for the continued good of the game.

“This significant investment illustrates Scottish Rugby and Scottish rugby clubs’ commitment to meeting the governing body’s strategic targets of a 38% increase in young people playing rugby, and a total playing population of 38,000 by 2012.”

Scottish Hydro's Sponsorship Manager Adele Mills, said: “We want to make sure that our investment in the club game makes a real difference. Helping clubs upgrade their facilities will attract and retain players and leave a legacy for many years to come.”
The Scottish Hydro Club Facilities Fund will complement other initiatives such as the Kit for Development scheme which offers tangible support to clubs, benefiting thousands of players throughout the country.

This article was posted on 24-Aug-2009, 18:27 by Hugh Barrow.