'A massive boost' - Scottish government bail out SRU with £20million
The Scottish government have bailed out the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) in a move that has been welcomed by the under pressure union.
Scotland were facing into a multi-million-pound loss in 2020, estimated to be in the region of at least £18 million pounds. The bailout – which was announced today – is split into a £15m grant to the sport and £5m of low-interest loans.
The SRU said in a statement: “Scottish Rugby’s three core revenue streams of ticketing, sponsorship and broadcast income have been severely impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic with no crowds able to attend Scotland’s recent Autumn Nations Cup matches and Edinburgh matches at BT Murrayfield, with Glasgow Warriors also in the same position at Scotstoun Stadium.
“The community game across the country has also been on hold with no adult competitive matches now planned for the 2020/21 season following the recent move to the tiered public health restrictions being put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “This has been a hugely difficult time at every level of our game in Scotland since the public lockdown began in March.
“Our main income sources effectively dried up at an international and professional level which in turn impacted on our ability to provide the revenues we need to invest in the community game going forward.
“We have had to make difficult decisions to look at how we can keep rugby financially afloat as we move into 2021. The funding package today is therefore a massive boost to our sport at a critical time and I’d like to thank the Scottish Government for its generous and timely support which will underwrite rugby in the months and years ahead.”
Scottish Rugby’s Chief Operating Officer, Dominic McKay said: “From the outset of the pandemic we have worked closely with Scottish Government to both support and promote its public health messaging on Covid-19 and also to ensure the voice of rugby was heard and its benefits to health and communities represented.
“The impact of no crowds on our revenues has been significant and while we were proud to host the first pilot event at BT Murrayfield back in August the speed of progress to welcome back fans puts on-going pressure on our ability to function as a governing body, supporting all levels of the game.
“Today’s funding package of £20m is therefore fantastic news for everyone connected to rugby in Scotland and enables us to plan and move forward with more confidence. I’d like to thank Minister for Sport Joe FitzPatrick, the First Minister and colleagues across Government for this financial lifeline and look forward to us continuing to work together.”
TRANSFER RUMOURS
“In Scotland, if you get a 2.08m, 123kg player, that is a big unit.”https://t.co/ddMEJIBe23
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 10, 2020
Scottish Rugby President Ian Barr said: “Today’s news will be welcomed by every club in Scotland as it provides vital financial support at a time when rugby in local communities cannot be played competitively and everyone is missing the benefits it brings.
“Our clubs have been fantastic through the pandemic and continue to support their local communities at this difficult time. To have the funding package from the Scottish Government announced today means we can move into 2021 with more optimism and confidence that our sport can work through this challenging period.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments