BT completes Scottish Rugby portfolio as Scotland’s front of shirt sponsor

Scotland’s national rugby team will run out with principal sponsor BT’s logo on their shirts next season, in a three-year deal.The global telecoms and broadcasting giant completes its sponsorship relationship with Scottish Rugby, which was announced in May 2014, with the prime position on the front of the national team jerseys.   Scottish Rugby secured the long-term sponsorship deal with BT, which enabled the company to secure the naming rights to BT Murrayfield Stadium as part of its multi-million pound investment in the sport, as well as becoming exclusive sponsor of Scotland’s domestic league and cup competitions.   In July 2013 BT Sport became shirt sponsor for Scotland’s two professional clubs, Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors. BT’s support can already be seen through sponsorship of Scotland 7s, and will now also appear on the match day-jerseys of Scotland age-grade representative teams; Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20, and also the Scotland Women’s team.   Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay said: I am delighted to unveil BT as our new shirt partner of the Scotland National Teams. BT is already our principal partner through its naming rights of the national stadium BT Murrayfield and this further significant investment in our sport is great news for Scottish Rugby.  BT’s brand will now be seen by millions of fans around the world on the iconic dark blue jersey of the Scotland national team. At the launch of our partnership last year we said the investment BT was making would be transformative for rugby in Scotland and this further significant investment demonstrates their commitment and desire to help us develop all elements of our game.    We have had a very productive opening year with BT through their sponsorship of the national stadium and I look forward to developing it even further in the months and years to come.   I would like to sincerely thank our out-going shirt sponsor RBS for its invaluable support over recent years. RBS remain fully committed to supporting Scottish Rugby and now become our official banking partner and will continue to deliver rugby activity through RBS Rugby Force across the country.”   Brendan Dick, Director of BT Scotland said:We’re delighted to be on the front of the Scotland Rugby shirt, showcasing our partnership on a global stage and demonstrating our support of Scottish Rugby.  Our partnership with Scottish Rugby touches all levels of rugby within Scotland and it’s fantastic to see the investment become a reality for communities and families across Scotland and start to make a difference.”  Scotland Under-20 will be the first team to run out with BT on their jerseys when they compete in the World Rugby Under-20 Championships in Italy in June this year.   Lee Bailey, Sponsorship Manager RBS, commented: We at the Royal Bank of Scotland are proud to have supported Scottish Rugby over the years and are delighted that our new partnership keeps us committed to rugby and Scottish rugby in particular. We remain committed to Royal Bank of Scotland RugbyForce, supporting local communities and rugby clubs at grassroots level, alongside our broader support which includes the RBS 6 Nations.   Scotland’s senior national team will wear BT branded jerseys at the Summer Test against Italy at BT Murrayfield on Saturday 29 August and they will also feature on training tops at the Rugby World Cup 2015.Pictured: Back row (L/R) Boroughmuir’s Andy Rose, Scotland Women’s Lisa Martin, Glasgow Warriors’ Zander Fagerson, Scotland’s Fraser Brown and Stuart Hogg, Edinburgh Rugby’s Sean Kennedy, Scotland 7s’ Scott Wight and Hawick’s Ross Graham.  Front row (L/R) Scottish Rugby President Ian Rankin, Director of BT Scotland Brendan Dick and Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs Dominic McKay.