Scottish Rugby Unveils First BT Sport Academy

Scottish Rugby unveiled the first of at least four BT Sport Academies that will be opened around the country to nurture the best young Scottish talent .

"The Academies are the cornerstone of our determination to create a new era for Scottish Rugby,”  chief executive Mark Dodson said at the opening of the Caledonia Academy at the University of Aberdeen's Hillhead campus.

"I've spoken before about the transformational BT sponsorship agreement. As part of the deal, and linked to BT Sport, we will invest £1.2 million per year on creating, resourcing and operating the four academies.

BT Scotland director Brendan Dick said: "BT is at the heart of Scotland, as a communications provider, as a business and an employer in our communities. We've a history of supporting rugby in Scotland which we've added to with the naming rights to BT Murrayfield and the sponsorship of Scotland's domestic league and cup competitions, Scotland's 7s side and the nation's two professional teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"Rugby is also at the heart of BT Sport – BT Sport has exclusive live rights to the Aviva Premiership. And later this month we have the mouth-watering prospect of live and exclusive matches from the new European Rugby Champions Cup.”

Meanwhile, positive are ongoing regarding locations for other BT Sport Academies to cover the East, West and Borders and further announcements will be made over the next few months.