Dodson says SRU in ‘best financial shape’ since game went professional
SCOTTISH Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson is set to tell those present at their AGM this morning that the Union’s turnover has increased to £43.7 million in the last year and that their debt is now at its lowest for a generation.
The member clubs will gather for the meeting at Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton campus in Edinburgh and Dodson will use his time addressing the meeting to also touch on a number of new initiatives.
This includes the news that there will be the launch of a Club Sustainability Fund, where Scottish Rugby will make available £1.6 million in total over the next four years for clubs to invest in facilities and projects.
An agreement has also been signed with the University of Aberdeen to host the first BT Academy at their Hillhead facility.
Negotiations for other sites in North Lanarkshire, the Borders College Campus at Galashiels, and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are also progressing.
Dodson said: “The SRU is in the best financial shape since the game went professional.
“Our debt is reducing at a level that satisfies everyone and our income is growing at record rates.
“After 18 months of very tense and difficult discussion, we have renegotiated our place at the top table in Europe – protecting our position in the professional game for the next eight years.
“We have set in motion a blueprint for change that will revolutionise rugby across the nation. “We now have the opportunity to create a new era for Scottish Rugby.
“A future that is properly financed through the transformational BT sponsorship agreement, a future that is professionally managed and governed by a revitalised Union, a future that sees schools, clubs and academies beginning to thrive once more, creating a pipeline of home-bred talent to feed all levels of the sport.”
At the AGM Ian Rankin is set to take over as president from Donald MacLeod. A new vice-president will be voted in and there are three candidates.
Of that trio Ed Crozier (Cartha Queens Park) has been involved in rugby for over 40 years and played at Dumbarton, Caledonian University/ Glasgow University and Old Aloysians before moving into administration roles. Euan Kennedy (Watsonians) won four caps for Scotland and played for Watsonians between 1972 and 1988. Finally, Gerry Tosh (Dundee HSFP) played most of his rugby from an early age at Dundee HSFP and has been involved at a committee level at the club for two decades.