Schools & Youth Conferences continue to grow state school rugby

Scottish Rugby’s Schools and Youth Conference programme has enjoyed its second year of success with even more games played in state schools across Scotland.Photo: Linlithgow Academy, winners of this year’s Schools’ Purple Conference, with Edinburgh Rugby’s John Hardie and Scottish Rugby Ambassador Chris Paterson.Teams from across 156 state schools participated in this season’s conference structure, 35 more than last year’s total of 121.A total of 26 independent schools and 93 clubs were also involved in the second year of the programme alongside state school structures.Players have participated in over 2,000 fixtures, noting a significant increase from last season (1,800), which saw the programme, introduced nationwide for the first time with match fulfillment rates having grown from 71% to 77%.The 35-conference structure provided players with regular fixtures and generated a dramatic increase in match fulfillment with the aim to develop young players and retain their involvement in the game.For schools and clubs with five or more teams in place, 12 conferences were established alongside a further 23 conferences for schools and clubs with fewer than five teams playing regularly.New for this season, was the introduction of a Girls’ President’s Conference, involving six clubs (Ayr, Biggar, Caithness, Hillhead Jordanhill, Murrayfield Wanderers and Stirling County) who fielded teams at both under-15 and under-18 level.Players from both age groups competed within a whole club conference, designed to provide a sustainable structure from which to develop girls’ rugby across the country.Keith Russell, Scottish Rugby’s Director of Domestic Rugby, said: “Our aim going forward was to increase fixture fulfillment across the country, providing young players with more games than ever before, and we have achieved our goal.There were some great matches played across both school and club conferences, with player numbers signaling a surge in interest in the sport, particularly in state schools.”Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Schools & Youth, said: “The conference structure has once again proved a real success within schools and clubs across Scotland.It has provided both schools and clubs with the opportunity to grow their involvement across all age levels and we have seen an increase in rugby played throughout state schools.The structure has provided more young players with regular, appropriate matches and has equipped them with the relevant skills and attributes to ensure they stay in the game.” 2016/17 Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Conference winners:School Conferences:Red Conference: Merchiston Castle SchoolBlue Conference: Fettes CollegeWhite Conference: High School of GlasgowGreen Conference: Stewart’s Melville CollegePurple Conference: Linlithgow AcademyBlack Conference: Carrick Academy Club Conferences: President’s Conference: Stirling CountyRed Conference: MackieGreen Conference: HamiltonBrown Conference: Allan Glen’sBorders Town v Town: Melrose/EarlstonGirls’ President’s Conference: Stirling County/Biggar