Scottish Rugby Union Sets up Rugby Academy
The Scottish Rugby Union, with support from a £40,000 award from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, is today pleased to announce the setting up of the Scottish Rugby Academy.
The project will see some 82 age-group international players receive specialist weight-training advice.
The Academy will complement existing initiatives that are designed to produce world-class rugby players for the Scotland teams of the future.
Roy Laidlaw, the SRU’s elite squad co-ordinator, explained: ‘Two major initiatives have taken place which have had an impact on the development of young rugby players – the formation of the Scottish Institute of Sport and the introduction of the SRU’s Pathway programme.
‘While the Pathway addresses age-grade rugby (from first year at secondary school to under-18), including a year at under-17 specifically aimed at weight-training and the Scottish Institute of Sport targets the development of a group of talented rugby players, there is a need tocontinue the physical development of a large group of players beyond the age of 17. That’s why we’re setting up a Scottish Rugby Academy.
‘The Academy will ensure that all national age-grade players will be educated, supported and monitored on all aspects of their physical development by fully-qualified weight-training coaches appointed by the Scottish Institute of Sport.’
The training programme has been devised by the SRU’s fitness coach,David McLean, working in tandem with the Institute’s strength and conditioning coach, Dave Clark, and players will have to meet criteria including regular attendance at training session and achieving proficiency standards in lifts.
Laidlaw stressed that players remain attached to their clubs with whom the Academy will work closely. ‘The Academy is aimed at creating a positive partnership which will not only allow the individual player to maximise his development opportunities but will benefit his club, too, through having a stronger, more knowledgeable and committed player.’
Scotland coach, Ian McGeechan, who is also a board member of the Scottish Institute of Sport, welcomed today’s announcement. ‘In my previous employment at Northampton I was heavily involved in setting up an academy. I am delighted sportscotland is backing this project and I’m sure it will bear fruit for the overall benefit of Scottish rugby.’
Ian Robson, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: ‘sportscotland is delighted to be supporting this new programme of strength and fitness training for what is, essentially, the future of Scottish rugby. ‘With the support of this funding and the help of the Scottish Institute of Sport and Area Institutes, there is no reason whey these young players should not be bigger, stronger, faster and generally better physically prepared to face the rigorous demands of rugby today.’
For further information please contact
Graham Law
0131 346 5164