Help us review male adult season structure

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 27: Both teams walk out during the Silver Saturday Scottish Cup match between Edinburgh Academical and Hawick RFC at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on April 27, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

The current structure of the male adult season requires review to ensure the game remains competitive, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of players, clubs, and the wider rugby community both now and into the future.

Additionally, Scottish Rugby needs feedback on the potential inclusion of Rugby Sevens into the male adult fixture calendar (link to Sevens survey here), as well as match load; rest, recovery and player welfare; travel considerations; player involvement in decision making; and more.

Scottish Rugby head of competitions and compliance Vicky Cox said: “Your voice shapes the game, and the season review is one of the tools we can use to safeguard domestic competition and the people who uphold the game at the grassroots level.”

“Every player, coach, club committee member, and stakeholder has a role in shaping the future of our game. Your insights and experiences are invaluable in creating a season that works for everyone. Have your say, drive positive change, and help strengthen rugby from the ground up” she said.

Scottish Rugby is seeking input from a range of groups, and needs opinions to ensure we listen to and implement feedback from the game. The five groups to be engaged with during this period are:

• Current adult male players actively registered at a club
• Recent adult male players at a club
• Under-18 players actively registered at a club
• Coaches and support staff who are active in the game
• Club committee and administrators.

This is the first step in a three-month review process, which will culminate in Scottish Rugby staff presenting findings to the Club Rugby Board for approval and implementation.

Our objectives from this review are to assess the current structure in the 2024/25 season; identify people’s needs; benchmark best practices; evaluate player welfare; and adapt to modern lifestyles.

Please use the link to the survey below to take part. Scottish Rugby asks you take the time to complete it. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the sport we all love.

The survey should take about 30 minutes to complete. Submit your feedback by 5pm on Friday, 28 February 2025 and your entry is in with a chance to win a £200 voucher to spend at the Scottish Rugby Shop.