Scottish Rugby to hold Male Adult Season Structure Consultation Workshops

Recommendations from Scottish Rugby Council’s Standing Committee on Governance (SCG) into male domestic leagues recommended that the current (2018/19) structures should remain in place until the 2021/2022 season. These recommendations were subsequently approved at a Special General Meeting on the 22 March 2019.

However, recent discussions at club fora and at Rugby Development regional club roadshows have raised the desire from clubs to review this timeline due to a number of concerns with the current set-up. The main concerns raised by clubs are:

• Season Length – diminishing appetite and availability from players and clubs for an 8-month season. Concerns also about the attraction of adult rugby to new players and those transitioning from youth rugby.
• Travel – concerns that the travel involved in national leagues is becoming increasingly troublesome for clubs, including player availability and costs.

The Rugby Development department is therefore undertaking a male season structure consultation process in conjunction with the SCG. The consultation will aim to identify solutions to stem the decline in the number of adult male teams, unfulfilled fixtures and the general challenges around player number in the game.

The first stage of this consultation process will begin with a series of workshops in May and June, with clubs being invited to register a maximum of 4 representatives, involving a minimum of 1 player and 1 coach in order to gather input from a variety of people from within the game.

These workshops will play a critical role in helping shape the male adult season structure in the future and will allow all attendees to share their ideas about how to strengthen the community club game in Scotland.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the workshop and receiving your input. Please remember that there are a maximum of 4 places available per club, and that player and coach representation is crucial for this stage in the process.

It’s your game – have your say!

Premiership & National 1, Sunday 12th May, Norton House Hotel, 10:00am – 12:30pm
National 2 & National 3, Sunday 26th May, Norton House Hotel, 10:00am – 12:30pm
If Premiership and National 1-3 clubs are unable to attend their specific workshop above, they are still able to input into the consultation process by attending the regional workshop below. Clubs with teams playing in both national and regional leagues can attend both workshops.
Edinburgh, Midlothian & West Lothian, Wednesday 22nd May, Linlithgow RFC, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Caledonia North, Tuesday 28 May, Moray College UHI, Elgin, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Caledonia Midlands, Wednesday 29th May, Grangemouth RFC, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Glasgow South, Monday 3rd June, Dumfries RFC (TBC), 6:30pm-8:30pm
Glasgow North, Monday 10th June, Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Borders & East Lothian, Tuesday 11th June, Borders College, Galashields, 6:30pm-8:30pm

A maximum of 4 people per club can attend. Attendees must register for the workshops (sign up links have been sent to all Presidents and Secretaries).