Message from Scottish Rugby Union President George Jack We’ve reached that part of the season when everything hits a climax, with a real focus on the Club game as promotion and relegation issues look to be resolved; postponed games are caught up with; the various Scottish Hydro Electric Cup competitions culminated in a thrilling Finals Day at Murrayfield on Saturday 3 May; and we’re looking forward to the IRB Sevens World Series finale, the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s on 31 May and 1 June.
Having visited all Premier Clubs prior to Christmas, I have just issued all Clubs with a booklet containing the issues that had arisen during our discussions, along with a proposal of ways to progress these. I hope that Clubs will read and consider them.
The poor weather in January caused many games to be postponed and whilst I’ve devoted Saturdays to meeting with National League Clubs, I’m running behind schedule. My last visit took place on Saturday 10 May, leaving three Clubs out of the 36 not visited – my apologies to them.
A number of Clubs have a ‘significant’ birthday this season. Many happy returns to all of you, though I want to make special mention of two.
Edinburgh Academicals Football Club celebrates its 150th birthday this year. The second oldest rugby club in the world it still plays at Raeburn Place, scene of the very first international between Scotland and England . Its special year was marked by a visit of the renowned Barbarians, who played against the Accies at their home ground on 9 April.
Another historic event took place that same week – the 125th Melrose Sevens on 12 April. The Blue Riband of Sevens, in the place where the abbreviated game originated, the occasion was celebrated by a Festival of Sevens at the Greenyards, featuring an outstanding win by the Scottish Thistles.
This time of year also sees a wealth of activity for our age grade representative teams. Well done to Scotland U18 for their victories against France and Ireland at the Six Nations Festival in Cork and to the U17 squad against Portugal and France during their festival at Millfield.
During my visits this season, I’ve been surprised by the number of times that I’ve heard Clubs complain about decisions taken at past AGMs – decisions that, at times, some Clubs have contributed to without much thought. As we reflect on the motions presented at this year’s Meeting, let me encourage you to discuss these fully within your Club beforehand so that your vote accurately reflects your Club’s intentions.
I appreciate that in recent years there has been significant debate among clubs as to the shape of the competitive season and in proposing the current motion I would emphasise that any decisions will be taken through a simple majority of member clubs at the agm. This is a matter for the clubs but, clearly, everyone wants to bring more cohesion to the season, and, where possible reduce fixture congestion and conflicts.
Please take a moment to review the details of the AGM contained within the Union section of TEAMtalk.
From grassroots investment to pro team pride to vigorously campaigning to improve the future of the game, the last few months have seen a wealth of activity involving all connected with Scottish Rugby.
As we look forward to the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June, the finale of the IRB World Series, bringing the cream of global sevens talent to our door, we celebrate the success of our own Scottish Thistles. The national sevens’ development side recently fought off fierce competition to lift the winners’ medals at the 125 th Melrose 7s, all vying for places in the full sevens side that will travel south later this month to compete in the London Sevens before the series comes ‘home’ to Scotland. In addition to plenty of international stars gracing the Murrayfield turf, our Edinburgh event is a fantastic weekend of non stop rugby action with fun and games for all.
A hugely successful Scottish Hydro Electric Finals event on Saturday 3 May brought nearly 6000 supporters to Murrayfield to enjoy four hotly-contested mens’ finals while the SWRU Bowl, Plate and Cup finals ran concurrently on the back pitches. As before, competing clubs were able to keep all proceeds from the tickets they sold, providing a healthy and welcome injection to their end-of-season finances. On a similar note, clubs applying for tickets to the recently announced RBS 6 Nations 2009 fixtures will benefit from 5% commission on all tickets they buy for Wales and Ireland , with commission for Italy at 10%. In the upcoming Autumn Tests, club commission for the New Zealand match will be 5% of gross sales, for South Africa it will be double that figure at 10% of gross sales and for Canada it will be 5%.
Meanwhile our pro teams have completed an excellent season with two hard fought away victories at Munster and Llanelli Scarlets. Both professional teams have competed with outstanding success in the Magners’ league this season and everyone should be rightly proud of their progress. With Edinburgh finishing fourth in the league table, denied third on points difference by Munster and with Glasgow in fifth place it’s been hugely encouraging to watch both our professional sides develop in confidence and success over the season. It has also been very heartening to welcome their burgeoning armies of supporters to both Firhill and Murrayfield. Next season promises to be very exciting.
At the heart of much of the success of both pro teams are their head coaches, Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen, who will bring their talents to bear as part of a new set-up to our National Management Team. Following their success with the Scotland A team earlier this season, we join National Coach Frank Hadden in welcoming their expertise and ideas into the mix as the side prepares to travel to Argentina . These two Tests will be hugely important for us as our performances in Buenos Aires and Rosario will determine our world rankings in preparation for seedings in the qualification for Rugby World Cup 2011.
Looking even further ahead than the next three years, our sights have been set on Rugby World Cup 2015. Recent discussions involving Scottish Rugby, the IRB and the Scottish Government have looked at the possibility of Scotland co-bidding to host the second biggest global sporting event in seven years’ time.
With the focus still on the bigger picture, we’ve also been actively lobbying many of our fellow rugby nations to oppose the latest draft of the IRB’s regulation 9, surrounding the release of players by their clubs with regard to international duty. This is not just a concern of Scottish rugby – with players in demand by French, Welsh, Irish and English clubs – but many other nations such as Argentina and Italy .
As our confidence to produce change in the field of the global game increases, so does our government’s confidence in Scottish Rugby. The recent Cash Back for Communities Initiative, with its huge financial injection of cash in grass roots rugby development, is proof that Holyrood has faith in the future of our game and in our abilities to target development in the community where and when it would be most effective. Overall, our finances generally are in very good shape.
Investment, development, growth and success in rugby requires more than just grand gestures and large cheques, however. It needs the dedication and support of the countless volunteers throughout our community, those who tirelessly give their time to all aspects of the sport from coaching to providing the teas at their club’s Minis festivals; the players at all levels who give their all in each and every game; the dedicated and knowledge-rich staff working within and outwith Scottish Rugby who always aim to perform above and beyond the call, for the good of the sport. By continuing to work together, with pride and passion, we can see today’s generous gains become tomorrow’s significant success stories.
We’ve reached that part of the season when everything hits a climax, with a real focus on the Club game as promotion and relegation issues look to be resolved; postponed games are caught up with; the various Scottish Hydro Electric Cup competitions culminated in a thrilling Finals Day at Murrayfield on Saturday 3 May; and we’re looking forward to the IRB Sevens World Series finale, the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s on 31 May and 1 June. 
From grassroots investment to pro team pride to vigorously campaigning to improve the future of the game, the last few months have seen a wealth of activity involving all connected with Scottish Rugby.