Scottish Rugby today announces a new sponsorship deal as Gatorade becomes the official sports drink to Scottish Rugby and the Scotland team. Gatorade is used by more elite athletes than any other sports drink in the world and the partnership – their first national team sponsorship within the UK – is being welcomed by Scottish Rugby’s high performance nutritionist, Richard Chessor.Scottish Rugby today announces a new sponsorship deal as Gatorade becomes the official sports drink to Scottish Rugby and the Scotland team. Gatorade is used by more elite athletes than any other sports drink in the world and the partnership – their first national team sponsorship within the UK – is being welcomed by Scottish Rugby’s high performance nutritionist, Richard Chessor. He said: Gatorade allows us to meet both fluid and fuel needs at the same time. It’s essential in supporting our training and match performances. Gatorade, the world’s first and most researched sports drink, was developed in the USA in 1965, specifically for American football, a sport which features many components similar to rugby, not least the requirements for power, pace and physicality. The deal will see Gatorade products being used throughout Scottish Rugby at all levels. Scottish Rugby now joins the rest of the Gatorade family, including basketball’s Michael Jordan, tennis’s Maria Sharapova, AC Milan and Brazilian international footballer Kaka and Chelsea FC. Whether it’s on the sidelines of the NFL, the dugout at Chelsea FC or the aid stations of Ironman Triathlon, Gatorade is used by more elite athletes than any other sports drink in the world, said Arif Haq, brand manager for Gatorade UK. I am extremely proud to welcome to the family Scottish Rugby, which has a proud history epitomising the passion and commitment that Gatorade stands for. I very much look forward to working closely with Scotland’s players and coaches over the coming years. Ends Note to editors: Gatorade was created in 1965 after the University of Florida’s gridiron coach came to the medical faculty with a problem – his players were wilting in the Florida heat. The scientists developed a drink that was designed to replace the essential mineral salts and fluids the players were losing through sweat. The team was called the Florida Gators and the drink was christened Gator-ade. Within two years the team had won their first Orange Bowl, the college equivalent of the Superbowl. When the coach of the opposing team, Georgia Tech, the favourites to lift the trophy, was asked why his team had lost, he told reporters: We didn’t have Gatorade, that made the difference.