How, where and when to play and watch rugby in Scotland.

The number of young people playing rugby in Scotland is growing every year. The Scottish Rugby Union employs 30 rugby development officers working throughout the country, many part-funded by local District Councils, who introduce and maintain the playing of rugby in schools and clubs in their area. 

In order to maximise the recruitment of players there are three modified versions of the game adopted in Scotland. Each one is designed to develop running, passing & support skills that are the core to success in the adult game. These games must be introduced to children in a fun but safe environment and the child's experience should always be a positive one.

New Image Rugby
Age 8 - 14
The aim for New Image Rugby is to introduce rugby in a safe environment, with the emphasis in each session being enjoyment. The Scottish Rugby Union organise annual New Image Festivals, where teams come together and play in 'round-robin' tournaments. In Season 2000/2001, over 40,000 children took part in these festivals. 

Mini Rugby
Age 8 - 11
Mini rugby is a modified game of contact rugby designed to develop progressively the skills of rugby. 

Tag Rugby
Age 8 onwards 
This is a relatively new version of the game, designed to bridge the gap between non-contact New Image Rugby and full contact Mini Rugby. In Tag Rugby, players wear a light belt with two ribbons attached to it by velcro. A "tackle" is simply the removal of one of two tags by a defender. 
This is a fun game that can be played by the whole family.

How can the best players progress to play for Scotland ?
"The Pathway to Success" allows players to see exactly how to realise their dream of playing for Scotland. It provides a structure that progressively integrates school and club players, culminating in complete integration at Scotland U18 level, where the very best players - whether they play primarily for their club or their school - come together to play for their country.

In each District, the best players from club and school rugby are progressively brought together on a regular basis to play in representative teams. These teams have great names, like Berwickshire Thunder, the North East Hurricanes and the Glasgow City Wildcats! These teams play each other in development games at U15, U16 and U18 levels.

How can children watch Scotland play at Murrayfield? 
There is nothing quite like the atmosphere at Murrayfield on the day of an International match. The huge stadium, which holds 67,500 people, comes alive on match days and with all the music and pre-match fireworks, by the time the Scotland team enters the arena the roar of the crowd has to be heard to be believed! For the last few years, the SRU has been running its popular Free Coach Offer for schools and clubs, whereby the SRU pays for the hire of the coach to bring children to Murrayfield. 

For details on how to play rugby, how to secure help in introducing or expanding rugby in your school or area, or to find out how you can take advantage of the Free Coach Offer at the next Scotland international, go to the SRU's website at www.sru.org.uk.