Saturday, 25 June 2011

At Saturday’s SRU AGM (25 June) Chief Executive Jock Millican will pledge to increase the investment in growing the grassroots game to over £1.9m and point to the governing body’s plans on international sevens for the season 2011/12.
Further information on Scottish Rugby is contained in the 2010/11 Annual Report
Last season Scottish Rugby surpassed its strategic target to grow its playing base by more than 50% two years ahead of schedule, pointing to the steady recovery of extra-curricular state-school rugby as key to the sport’s consistently increasing popularity.
This season’s results have recorded yet another increase with the number of schools regularly playing the game up from 184 in 2008 to more than 264 in 2011, thanks in part to a successful state school specific programme which rewards and supports school staff who give up their time to take extra-curricular rugby.
Addressing delegates from Scottish Rugby’s 250 full and associate member clubs, Millican will also reflect on a season in which the governing body yielded £1.3m surplus achieved in a challenging economic climate.
Scottish Rugby is considering where that money can be best spent for the good of the game in Scotland.
On the pitch, Scotland rose to sixth in the world – their highest ever position since the rankings were established by the IRB, and defeated the current world champions, South Africa, at Murrayfield – during the past season, though again endured a disappointing RBS 6 Nations campaign.
Following a review of international sevens, Millican will also speak on the position of the abbreviated game in the Scottish rugby professional sphere, with a significantly boosted commitment to be announced at the AGM.
President Ian McLauchlan, who is standing for re-election unopposed, will tell delegates that Scotland head coach Andy Robinson and his players are working rigorously to ensure Scotland give a good account of themselves at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this Autumn.
Off the pitch, Scottish Rugby secured a significant funding boost from the Scottish Government (£3.65m) having smashed previously agreed targets set by a £1.4m investment announced in 2009 to grow the game while RBS joined Scottish Rugby as principle partner of the Scottish game, from the grassroots of rugby development to the sponsorship of our national team.
Jock Millican said: “This is an exciting and challenging time to be at the helm of our game here in Scotland.
“I’d like to congratulate all those in clubs and schools, together with Scottish Rugby staff, for their efforts to open up the game and make it available to more young people. This is a source of great pride and is achieved alongside a stronger financial footing.”
Events - Scottish Rugby’s ability to manage its sport is confirmed by the continued support and backing from the private and public sector and a desire from other sports and entertainment organisations to bring major events to Murrayfield Stadium. Such events as the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s and this week’s Jon Bon Jovi and Kings of Leon concerts, alongside Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby fixtures, saw around 350,000 people pass through Murrayfield’s turnstiles in the past year.
Also staged was the inaugural Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame evening in November, honouring twelve giants of the game, in our newly refurbished President’s and Thistle Suites.
Finance - On finance, Millican will report that Scottish Rugby has increased turnover to £35.1 million and achieved a surplus of around £1.3m.
Conclusion - President Ian McLauchlan thanked Scottish Rugby’s staff and the thousands of volunteers in clubs or schools for all their hard work to take the game forward:
He declared: “One of the great privileges of this role of president is travelling round our rugby clubs and seeing, at first hand, the great work that is going on with so many enthusiastic and talented youngsters across Scotland.
“From the Peebles Piranhas to the Dundee Eagles and Ellon to the Nicolson Institute, I’ve seen a great representation of Scotland’s young, enthusiastic rugby talent.
“Community rugby events at clubs, schools and parks throughout the country are of supreme importance to encourage and develop grassroots rugby. They really are the life blood of the game and I thank the volunteers, players, parents, coaches and supporters who continue to do their bit to make sure these events happen and keep encouraging the youngsters to take up and enjoy our great game.”

This article was posted on 25-Jun-2011, 12:18 by Hugh Barrow.