Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup

Mar 6 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

INVESTMENT manager Bell Lawrie, due to re-brand as Brewin Dolphin next month, is to extend its sponsorship of the popular Scottish Schools’ Cup to include a girls’ competition.

The new three-year deal will see the partnership with Scottish Rugby extended until 2012 and will adopt the new title The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup.

Colin Thomson, head of community rugby at Scottish Rugby said: “We are delighted with the commitment shown by Bell Lawrie to schools rugby which I believe stands as testimony to the progress that has been made by all partners involved in the growth and development of schools rugby across Scotland.

“All children in Scotland attend school and we are delighted that year on year more youngsters are getting the opportunity to play rugby for their schools in Bell Lawrie competitions.

“We are particularly delighted to announce that moving forward the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup sponsorship will also support the introduction of girls’ competitions demonstrating the progress that has also been made in the growth and development of girls’ rugby over the last couple of seasons.”

Bell Lawrie has sponsored the Scottish Schools Cup for the past eight years, during which time the competition has witnessed unprecedented growth, with an increase from 56 teams in 2001 to 244 taking part this season.

Scotland women’s captain, Lynne Reid, added: “Scottish Rugby and the SWRU are moving towards integration and the inclusion of competitions for schoolgirls within the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup sponsorship is a great example of rugby being developed and supported in an integrated fashion and confirmation that girls like rugby too!

“This is fantastic news for young female rugby players across the country and the future of the women’s game as a whole.”