​inspiresport join Scottish Rugby as new partner

inspiresport, part of the Clarity Group, provide tailored sports development tours for young players of all abilities to the UK and Europe, offering professional coaching at some of Europe’s top professional clubs and federations.

The new partnership will see inspiresport bring tours to Scotland, providing young players with opportunities to engage with Scottish Rugby coaches, facilities and stadium tours to inspire the next generation of players.

In addition, inspiresport will now become the title sponsor of the Scottish Rugby’s Schools and Youth Conferences.

The Schools and Youth Conferences for the 2021/22 season resumed in September 2021 following a break in the previous season due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Since then, the programme has facilitated playing opportunities for more than 7,200 players from U13 to U18 level, from 72 rugby hubs (schools, clubs or rugby communities).

Scottish Rugby’s Head of Sponsorship and Marketing, Toni Blackhurst said: “inspiresport pride themselves on offering young people regardless of age or ability the opportunity to enjoy first class sports experiences. This made them a perfect fit to be the official partner of our Schools and Youth Conferences as we look to provide all young people with the chance to play rugby across the country and experience the benefits that playing the sport can bring.

“It will be great to welcome our first touring party to BT Murrayfield soon as we look to inspire youngsters through rugby both on and off the field. We are delighted to welcome the inspiresport team to Scottish Rugby’s partner family and look forward to working with them.”

Director of Rugby Development, Gav Scott added: “Our Schools and Youth Conferences are a key component to the long-term success of young Scottish rugby. inspiresport’s support of our Conferences will help develop the profile of the competition as a cornerstone of our youth rugby work.

“The conferences have made a fundamental difference to how young people enjoy their first taste of competitive rugby and experience the social and physical benefits of the game. Providing a player centred, development driven, and competition supported format for youth and schools’ players has been especially important in our Return to Rugby programme this season.”

Steve Butchart, Managing Director at inspiresport said: “We are incredibly proud to be announced as new sponsors of the Scottish Rugby Schools and Youth Conferences. Player development is a key part of the inspiresport ethos and experience so to assist with offering opportunities for potential future talent is a natural synergy for us.

“The culture of touring plays such a huge part within rugby at all levels – we’re aiming to bring teams of young players to Scotland to experience first-hand the expert coaching, fantastic facilities, and sheer passion for rugby, whilst also providing travel options for Scottish groups to play against new opposition further afield.

“We are excited to see what the next few years holds in relation to school and youth rugby in Scotland and look forward to working closely with Scottish Rugby to provide best in class opportunities for players of all abilities.”