Scottish Rugby is aiming to recruit an extra 11,000 players to the game in the next five years. The aggressive target is revealed today as Scottish Rugby begins presentations of its strategic plan to its member clubs.
The plan – Scottish Rugby: Growing locally, performing successfully, competing globally – sets out the governing body’s vision across four key areas:-
· Community rugby;
· Rugby performance;
· Financial and commercial; and
· Governance and administration.
“Our plan is about evolution rather than revolution,” said Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie, “and aims to build on the success of the Genesis Report, which has been the basis on which we’ve done our annual business plans over the last two years.”
The first presentation to clubs takes place tonight at Jed-Forest RFC, Riverside Park, Jedburgh (7pm) and will be followed by presentations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth in the weeks ahead.
On the community game, Scottish Rugby plans to achieve a 35% increase in adult players and a 38% increase in youth players by 2012, so that the current 27,000 total player number reaches 38,000. This number includes male and female players.
Colin Thomson, SRU’s Head of Community Rugby, said: “The key to us meeting this target is to all work together through continuing to develop the network of partnerships, formal and informal, whether between schools and clubs or clubs, Scottish Rugby, local authorities and other stakeholders.
“The numbers may sound ambitious but what they mean is that if each club currently playing the game can raise an additional 14 players a year, each year in senior, junior clubs or in local schools or mini sections and retain them, then we will hit our target.
“This may be difficult in some areas that have already shown dramatic growth in recent years. However, it’s critically important we target areas to expand our numbers.
“And if we increase the number of players, we must obviously look to increase the number of referees and coaches and volunteer administrators as well because without that infrastructure you cannot sustain growth in the game.”
Targets for referees by 2012 would be for an increase from the current 423 qualified officials to a minimum of 1,000.
Complete article
Scottish Rugby Sets Out The Way Forward
Scottish Rugby Sets Out The Way Forward
