Lloyds TSB Scotland was today announced as the sponsor for Scottish Rugby’s under-18 youth league cup – a competition vital for nurturing the adult rugby players of tomorrow.

Lloyds TSB Scotland is investing a significant five figure sum into the competition over the next two years. The bank’s support comes at a time when entries for this year’s competition have increased by ten to 83.

The competition began 24 years ago. It operates on a district league basis for under-18 club sides initially before the top two sides in each district come together for knockout quarter-finals. The final will be played on the international pitch at Murrayfield on Saturday 22 January.

Scottish Rugby’s commercial manager, David James, said: ‘I am delighted that Lloyds TSB Scotland is extending its wide-reaching support of rugby in Scotland. The bank is already Scottish Rugby’s financial partner, sponsors the Scotland Women’s team and is a founding partner of the Scottish Rugby Thistle Rugby Trust, the umbrella under which all rugby for under-18s in Scotland is organised.’

Colin Thomson, Thistle Rugby Trust manager, said: ‘The Lloyds TSB Scotland under-18 youth league cup, sitting alongside the Bell Lawrie White Scottish Schools Cup represents the bedrock of Scottish Rugby.

‘This structure provides a platform for the development for the future of our sport at club, district, professional and international level.’

Scotland internationalist Allister Hogg was on hand to support today’s announcement. ‘I know from personal experience the value of this competition. I was lucky enough to win it with Stirling County and it prepared me and my friends for the next stages of our rugby careers, whether in the adult XVs at Stirling County or in climbing the representative ladder with Scotland.’

Manus Fullerton, director of corporate and business banking at Lloyds TSB Scotland, said: ‘There is immense value in encouraging and enabling youngsters to engage in sport. As well as the physical and health benefits, they learn social skills from team sports which can stand them in good stead in the work place later in life.

‘Having over 80 youth teams from right across Scotland participating in the first year of our Youth Cup sponsorship is a real triumph and I am already looking forward to the final stages of the competition in January.’

For further information please contact:

Graham Law
0131 346 5164