SRU gives boost to clubs
August 14, 2000

The Scottish Rugby Union have announce a major loan scheme to assist it's top clubs with the aim of raising the profile of the club game in Scotland.

Each year £500,000 will be available in loans for low-interest capital projects such as weights rooms or improved floodlights with repayments over a maximum ten-year period. John Thorburn, the Union's Domestic Game Manager, explained: "We recognise that Premier One clubs have had to bear the brunt of the difficulties within Scottish rugby since the game went professional and we are determined to rectify their problems. We believe, working with our top clubs, that we can create an environment were they, the game and, ultimately, the national team, will all be beneficiaries."

The money will be on top of existing payments given to all clubs. Thorburn added: "The SRU's commitment to all club rugby has seen significant increases in cash distributions." A new working group, comprising SRU and club representatives, will be set up to oversee the extra distributions to the top ten clubs and special emphasis will be placed on marketing the club game and creating a distinct brand for Premier One rugby.

The union is not giving cash to clubs simply for them to buy players. Thorburn said: "Some £10,000 will be available to each Premier One club distributed through an accreditation scheme. "Clubs will have to meet a number of criteria in order to access the money. They will require a business plan, marketing plan and rugby plan. They will have to have a weights coach, sports science person and fitness advisor and they will need to provide two coaches currently on, or committed to, the SRU coaching scheme."

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