Who are we?
The Friends of Scottish Rugby aim is to bring together people who have a interest in supporting Scottish rugby, and its development at all levels, with a view to helping to maintain it in the first ranks of international rugby football. We do this by focussing our support at grass roots level. The group has been in existence for over 25 years with a membership varying between 100 to 150, which we are seeking to increase.
Over £600,000 has been donated to rugby clubs, for projects whose outcome makes a real difference. Surplus funds raised by functions
and donations are passed to individual clubs for specific projects or purposes, typically supporting activities such as the cost of employing
a Youth Development Officer, and infrastructure projects such as floodlighting and pitch drainage. To see how some clubs have benefited please
click HERE or on the
"Grants" tab above.
In 2019 we launched a joint undertaking with Scottish Rugby (SRU), whereby dual branded professional rugby balls are donated to Tier Four schools.
Most of these schools have never had decent rugby balls to play with, so they make a big difference. We are often told that you can see the pride and enthusiasm on the players faces when they take to the pitch!
Up to March 2025 we have been donated nearly 1700 balls to well deserving schools.
Each year at the Friends of Scottish Rugby Annual General Meeting two quaiches are presented to up and coming players - The Sir Willie Purves quaich and
the Sir Tommy Macpherson quaich. Previous winners include many young players who have gone on to illustrious Scottish international careers. Jonny Gray won the Sir Willie Purves quaich in 2014, following in the footsteps of his brother, Richie, who won it in 2009.
To demonstrate our support for diversity in rugby, in March 2019 we introduced the Lady Jean Macpherson Women's Trophy. The trophy was designed and
created by the Edinburgh College of Arts, Silversmithing Department and is awarded annually to the most aspiring female Scottish player.
Between them Trophy winners have gone on to enjoy great careers and many have made it into the National Team, winning nearly 1000 caps between them and scoring over 1100 points! They have also represented Scotland in all age groups and the 7s countless times.
If you would like to join us in our quest to both improve Scottish rugby and make it more accessible to all, please click
HERE or on the "Join Us" tab above.