Scottish Rugby has secured what is believed to be a seven-figure sponsorship deal described as the most significant investment yet in its game.
The Royal Bank of Scotland deal will range from sponsorship of the national team's shirts after the Six Nations to a rebranding of the domestic leagues.
SRU chief executive Gordon McKie was delighted with the RBS involvement.
"Attracting such a high-profile brand is testimony to the hard work undertaken," he said.
The three-and-a-half year sponsorship deal encompasses the game from grassroots to senior international level.
<table width="231" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="5">
</td> <td class="sibStdQuote"> All the ingredients are good at the moment and obviously this news today you could say is the cream on the cake
Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> "The Scotland team, their performances in the last year, were encouraging at the start of the year and they have been outstanding since we beat Ireland at the end of the Six Nations and we are on a roll having won five out of six," said McKie, whose organisation did not reveal the full amount of the deal.
"So all the ingredients are good at the moment and obviously this news today you could say is the cream on the cake.
"From the beginning of the 2011/12 season, our domestic leagues and our cup competitions, as well as our reserve leagues and the women's leagues, will all become branded and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
"That's good in so far as it will help to promote the domestic game, it will get more people interested and participating and coming to clubhouses to watch their teams in action."
Scottish Rugby also announced today that the Murray Group have extended their sponsorship of the Scotland national team.
The deal, previously due to conclude at the end of November after the autumn internationals, has been extended to 31 March 2011, after the forthcoming RBS Six Nations.
The Murray Group have been valued supporters of Scottish Rugby for the past three years.
"Sir David Murray and the Murray Group have been, and continue to be, great supporters of Scottish Rugby," added McKie.
"Their significant investment in the game in Scotland has enabled Scottish Rugby and the rugby community to develop both on and off the park.
"I'd like to thank Sir David and the Murray Group for agreeing to extend their relationship and continuing to back Scottish Rugby."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/9252882.stm
So they're (for once) not broke it seems.
The Royal Bank of Scotland deal will range from sponsorship of the national team's shirts after the Six Nations to a rebranding of the domestic leagues.
SRU chief executive Gordon McKie was delighted with the RBS involvement.
"Attracting such a high-profile brand is testimony to the hard work undertaken," he said.
The three-and-a-half year sponsorship deal encompasses the game from grassroots to senior international level.
<table width="231" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="5">
Scottish Rugby chief executive Gordon McKie
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> "The Scotland team, their performances in the last year, were encouraging at the start of the year and they have been outstanding since we beat Ireland at the end of the Six Nations and we are on a roll having won five out of six," said McKie, whose organisation did not reveal the full amount of the deal.
"So all the ingredients are good at the moment and obviously this news today you could say is the cream on the cake.
"From the beginning of the 2011/12 season, our domestic leagues and our cup competitions, as well as our reserve leagues and the women's leagues, will all become branded and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
"That's good in so far as it will help to promote the domestic game, it will get more people interested and participating and coming to clubhouses to watch their teams in action."
Scottish Rugby also announced today that the Murray Group have extended their sponsorship of the Scotland national team.
The deal, previously due to conclude at the end of November after the autumn internationals, has been extended to 31 March 2011, after the forthcoming RBS Six Nations.
The Murray Group have been valued supporters of Scottish Rugby for the past three years.
"Sir David Murray and the Murray Group have been, and continue to be, great supporters of Scottish Rugby," added McKie.
"Their significant investment in the game in Scotland has enabled Scottish Rugby and the rugby community to develop both on and off the park.
"I'd like to thank Sir David and the Murray Group for agreeing to extend their relationship and continuing to back Scottish Rugby."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/9252882.stm
So they're (for once) not broke it seems.
