First awardees of Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary named

Five male and five female players, all of whom are part of Scottish Rugby’s existing pathway structure, have been given funding to a total tune of £30,000 in order to assist with some of the challenges associated with being a young, aspiring rugby player.

Whether helping with the balance of work, life, study or a combination of all three, The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary will allow the awardees to dedicate more time to rugby throughout the course of the 2025/26 season.

Female players who are part of the women’s performance pathway and male players who have been identified as part of the National Talent Pathway were among those who will were eligible for the scheme.

The 10 players to have been awarded a bursary are:

Male (5)
Harry Jackaman (Watsonians) – Back row
Toby Overson (Hawick) – Second row
Adam McKenzie (Watsonians) – Scrum-half
Max Morrison (Lenzie Academy/Glasgow Hawks) – Tighthead prop
Daniel Shellard (GHA RFC) – Second row

Female (5)
Millie Warren (Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill) – Centre
Gemma Thomson (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County) – Back row
Nicole Marlow (Edinburgh Rugby) – Full-back
Ellie Williamson (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County) – Second row
Faye Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby/Heriot’s Rugby) – Front row

Kenny Murray, National Talent Pathway Lead, said: “We are excited that, with the financial support from The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary scheme, those selected to receive funding will have the ability to focus even more of their attention on rugby and progress accordingly.”

Gemma Fay, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Women and Girls’ Strategy, added: “The number of applications to this first iteration of The Bill McLaren Foundation Bursary was really pleasing and it was a tough process to select the eventual recipients. Thanks to all who applied, who we encourage to continue with the support they currently receive to become the players they can be.”

Alan Lawson, son-in-law of the great Bill McLaren, said that the scheme would have had the Voice of Rugby’s approval: “One of the three main objectives of the Bill McLaren Foundation is to ‘encourage and provide sporting opportunities for young people’ and hopefully this bursary will help these young rugby players realise their potential. We are delighted to provide this support and look forward to following their progress.”

The Bill McLaren Foundation bursary scheme will run in its first instance across the 2025/26 season, with recipients gaining greater time on task in the rugby calendars, as well as being afforded opportunities to learn through off-pitch experiences.