Scottish Rugby Union

National rugby union
unionname = Scottish Rugby Union
nativename =

logosize = 234px
founded = 1873
IRB = 1886 (founder)
region = FIRA-AER
regionyear = ?
president = George Jack (2007-)
coach = Frank Hadden (2005-)
womenscoach = Lee Adamson
country

url = www.scottishrugby.org

The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, being founded in 1873. [http://www.rfu.com/microsites/museum/index.cfm?fuseaction=faqs.history]

History

The Scottish Football Union (SFU) was founded in 1873 and was a founding member of the International Rugby Board in 1886 with Ireland and Wales. (England refused to join until 1890).

The SFU was responsible for organising the very first rugby international, when they challenged England to a game, on 27 March 1871, which Scotland won.

In 1924 the SFU changed its name to become the Scottish Rugby Union.cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0020/print.shtml |title=First Scottish Grand Slam |publisher=bbc.co.uk |accessdate=2007-10-27 |last=MacDonald |first=Paul] International games were played at Inverleith from 1899 to 1925 when Murrayfield was opened.

The SRU owns Murrayfield Stadium, which is the main home ground of the Scottish national team, though in 2004 international rugby games were played at Hampden Park in Glasgow and McDiarmid Park in Perth, as part of the SRU's campaign to reach out to new audiences outside the traditional rugby areas.

When the Heineken Cup was suggested SRU officials were concerned that Scottish club sides could not compete against the best teams from France and England and that centrally funded so-called 'super-district' teams might do better.

The four traditional districts—the South (renamed Border Reivers), Edinburgh, Glasgow and the North & Midlands (rebranded as Caledonia Reds)—were given the go-ahead to take part in Europe. For the first two seasons, players were still released to play for their clubs in domestic competition, but eventually the districts became full-time operations.

Then financial difficulties—the SRU's high debt, partly as a result of the redevelopment of Murrayfield—called for retrenchment. After two seasons, financial difficulties forced the SRU to merge the four teams into two. Edinburgh merged with the Border Reivers to form a team to be known as Edinburgh Reivers. Glasgow merged with Caledonian to form a team to be known as Glasgow Caledonian.

The Borders was resurrected in 2002 and joined the second season of the Celtic League. As a consequence Edinburgh Reivers became simply Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow became Glasgow Rugby. In 2005, all three teams adopted new names. The Borders readopted the name Border Reivers; Edinburgh became Edinburgh Gunners, but would revert to Edinburgh in 2006; and Glasgow became Glasgow Warriors. Caledonia will be re-established when the SRU believe financial circumstances permit.

In 2007, The Borders was disbanded yet again due to continuing financial difficulties. Also in the same year, the SRU began organising the Edinburgh 7s, the final event in the annual IRB Sevens World Series.

Domestic Rugby

:"See also" Scottish rugby union system and Rugby union in Scotland

The SRU oversees the national league system, known as the Scottish Hydro Electric League Championship, and consisting of:
* a Premiership of 36 clubs in three nationwide divisions
* a National Leagues of 36 clubs in three nationwide divisions
* Regional Leagues of 85 clubs in eight divisions across three regions

It also oversees the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup. It is not directly responsible for local, university or 2nd XV leagues.

Personnel

Gordon McKie is the Chief Executive Officer, who was appointed in August 2005 after the new Scottish Rugby Board was created on July 14 2005. Allan Munro is the new chairman, with Fred McLeod (deputy), Tom Inglis and Brian Kennedy alongside as non-executive directors.

The President since 2007 is now George Jack who took over from Andy Irvine.

The head coach of the Scotland national rugby union team is currently Frank Hadden, who was appointed following the departure of Matt Williams after the 2004/2005 season.

ee also

* Rugby Union in Scotland
* Murrayfield Stadium
* Scotland national rugby union team (sevens)
* Edinburgh 7s

Notes and references

External links

* [http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=51502005 SRU accused of becoming dictatorship] - the crisis of January 2005 when David Mackay was removed by the general committee
* [http://www.scottishrugby.org/index.cfm? Scottish Rugby Union] - official website
* [http://www.scottishrugby.org/pdfs/SRU_AnnualReport.pdf SRU Annual Report 2003-04]
* [http://sport.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=736 Guide to Scottish Rugby] (The Scotsman)
* [http://www.setbb.com/sru Fans Forum] (Now the SRU web site has closed their forum)

Fixtures & Results

* [http://www.scottishrugby.org/hdn/fixtures-2006.cfm] Current fixtures and results, for men's, women's and youth rugby