Annual Review 2019-20 3 the Past Season Presented Challenges on a Scale That Was Simply Unparalleled
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Scotland, Auld Alliance trophy winners 2020 CONTENTS President’s Welcome | Ian Barr 4 P.8 Interim Chairman’s Review | John Jeffrey 6 Chief Executive’s Chief Executive’s Report | Mark Dodson 8 Report Chief Operating Officer’s Report | Dominic McKay 10 Staying Safe 14 Scotland Men 16 Scotland Women & Women 7s 18 P.16 P.30 Scotland 7s 20 Scotland Men Clubs Scotland U20 & Age Grades 21 Glasgow Warriors 22 Edinburgh 24 FOSROC Super6 26 P.40 FOSROC Academy 28 Training & Education Clubs 30 Scotland fans make history at Women & Girls 36 the 15th consecutive sell-out Schools & Youth 38 game at BT Murrayfield Training & Education 40 SCOTTISH RUGBY Match Officials 42 BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ 0131 346 5000 | scottishrugby.org | @scotlandteam Looking After Our People 44 Connecting with Partners 45 All information correct at time of publication 19 November 2020. To download a copy please visit scottishrugby.org Governance & Board Report 46 Doddie Weir receiving his Hall of Fame cap from Chris Paterson Scottish Rugby | Annual Review 2019-20 3 The past season presented challenges on a scale that was simply unparalleled. Whether as players, referees, coaches, administrators, volunteers or spectators we’ve all faced times in our lives when we’ve been confronted with stumbling blocks. Coronavirus crudely interrupted our conventions; there was no Super Saturday or Silver Saturday; no play-offs; no mini-rugby on a Sunday; no end of season sevens tournament; no training on Tuesdays and Thursdays; no battle for promotion or fight against relegation; no banter in the clubhouse bar. PRESIDENT’S Our sport which gives us so much joy, occasional angst and a sense of direction, was gone. Scotland fans greet the team mascot, Lochie Perhaps we all will acquire wisdom from dealing with the virus Hamilton Bulls’ and its ramifications, which left our playing fields and facilities youth festival isolated. Sadly, this indiscriminate virus also took members of our rugby community and the pain from our loss was exacerbated WELCOMEStepping into the role as President at Scottish Rugby has been a tremendous honour as we could not mourn collectively. but one that has arrived with no shortage of complications born out of the effects of Having reached the end of my two-year term as President this the Covid-19 pandemic. Summer, I would like to outline my unshakeable conviction that we can and will bounce back from this. Across the country, we are all The experience of the last few months – an experience that has desperate for the game to get back Hawick RFC increase 42% extended into the 2020-21 season – hopefully, will enable us all to some semblance of normality, championed in girls playing the game to see things in perspective. especially at club level, where we a “Show in East Region have been without rugby for more Racism the We speak, frequently, about rugby being at the heart of our Red Card” than eight months now. increase communities. That sense of togetherness will be a key ingredient event 38% The work that has gone on both at Scottish Rugby and at in girls’ player registration in in the restoration of our game and our clubs in the months ahead. Caledonia Midlands clubhouses across the land is testament to the appetite for rugby Your union acted swiftly to pull together a package of support at in Scotland. the height of the pandemic – the Club Hardship Fund – and that Glasgow Warriors have stern tests on their hands to keep their leadership was further demonstrated as we presented to Scottish We must remain hopeful that when the time is right, and sides competitive at a time where international commitments Government what we could do to support public health messaging. restrictions ease, we can seize the opportunity of a welcome are making quite a dent on their respective squads. The Scotland Men’s squad line up before taking on Wales at Parc y Scarlets return to action. But, right now, it is hard, as the health and It would have been easy, understandable even, to bemoan all As President, I committed to setting up a new group to review wellbeing of our country and the NHS is at stake. the injustices, many valid, that were spawned by the pandemic all aspects of Scottish Rugby’s governance. The Scottish across society, never mind just sport. It has been the most challenging period for society in living Rugby Council has now approved the membership and terms memory and it may be some time before we can all live our lives of reference of the Council’s new Standing Committee on But I take my hat off to all those involved, whether in Scottish as before. Governance and, under the independent chairmanship of Gavin Rugby’s staff or as volunteers at clubs, who have been planning MacColl QC, we have already held three meetings. As a rugby family, whether in Scotland or globally, the spirit of assiduously for the future. unity on which our sport has traditionally prided itself, has never The Committee is tasked with making recommendations on a Our history shows we’ve always been prepared to innovate. Well been more essential. structure which is fit for purpose in the modern era and setting done to the clubs and development staff who organised digital out clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all involved in Before the pandemic, 2020 saw shoots of international progress awards ceremonies to celebrate achievement from the past season. the running of our game, in line with the Nolan principles of in both the Scotland Men’s and Women’s sides, with Gregor We know our game generates huge passion and that is good governance. Townsend’s team beating Italy and then, impressively, France creditable. Our game and the complexities of keeping it vibrant before the Guinness Six Nations was forced to pause. A victory in Governance can sound a bit abstract. But the governance of and meaningful apply at whatever level and as we seek to Wales on the last day of October gave Scotland three successive Scottish Rugby impacts on anyone and everyone involved in the find the structures around playing schedules, competitions victories in the championship for the first time since 1996. game in Scotland so we must ensure there is a structure in place and governance my sincere hope is that a spirit of concord, which allows all aspects of our organisation to operate effectively. Likewise, Scotland Women, under the auspices of Philip Doyle and collaboration and consensus will emerge. now Bryan Easson, have put in some eye-catching performances, We aim to present our recommendations to member clubs ahead notably beating South Africa twice at the start of the year and of the 2021 AGM. Dee Bradbury then grabbing a fine draw against France at Scotstoun in October. President, 2018-2020 The Guinness PRO14 resumed in August, finishing its season, Ian Barr Scotland Women captain Rachel and then began again with little respite for our professional President, Scottish Rugby Malcolm on the charge teams. Both Richard Cockerill at Edinburgh and Danny Wilson’s 4 LEADERSHIP . ENGAGEMENT . ACHIEVEMENT . ENJOYMENT . RESPECT Scottish Rugby | Annual Report 2019-20 5 The well-being of our staff both physically and mentally during these uncertain times was paramount to the Board. We took the decision to protect all our employees and look to cut costs in other areas rather than enforce redundancies and along with the use of the furlough scheme we are still on track to achieve that aim. We also appreciated that all clubs were hugely affected by the pandemic and immediately made £500,000 available through the Club Hardship Fund to our member clubs to provide assistance to the end of the season and then subsequently to prepare facilities for the anticipated return to rugby. Additionally, we are working hand in hand with Scottish Government, led by our Chief Operating Officer Dominic McKay, to steer our way safely through Covid and were extremely grateful INTERIM CHAIRMAN’S that they allowed us to pilot the first ‘live’ crowd at a sporting event in August and even prouder when it was deemed a success by the Government. During these tough times, we are pleased to say that BT, Macron Ross Jones kicks from the tee for Heriot’s in the FOSROC Super6 and all our other sponsors have continued to support Scottish Helen Nelson in action for Scotland against France, October 2020 Rugby and we are indebted to them all. I was honoured and humbled in May when the Board asked REVIEWTo say this was a year like no As Covid and its effects have continued – most visibly in the me to step in as Interim Chairman and I would like to thank other would not only be an keenly-felt absence of spectators at the top end of the game – so Colin Grassie for all his years of service to Scottish Rugby both your Board and Council have had to plan for every conceivable understatement but also a as a Board member and latterly as Chairman. Similarly, to Dee scenario around the financial implications of matches played Bradbury for her leadership as President for the last two years. touch flippant when so many behind closed doors or with reduced numbers of supporters. Well done to you both. have lost family members As part of our determination to protect the game in Scotland that and friends to the pandemic. I’d also like to thank retiring Board member Graeme Scott and planning has been, and continues to be, detailed and robust. As a my great friend Adam Gray who tragically died earlier this year, a To everyone who has been affected result, our audited statements are still being finalised and will be huge loss to the game he loved.