Scottish Rugby Academy

Stage 1 and 2 are known as the supported stages. They are often combined in the listing of annual intakes.[1]

Regionally selected and regionally supported players

Under 14 and Under 15 players invited to attend regional skills camps and local pathway sessions/matches as an initial Academy selection process.

Nationally selected and regionally supported players

Selected as having the potential to play professional rugby or influence the future success of Scotland Women’s rugby. Players will be managed by Scottish Rugby through the Academy Membership Terms and supported regionally within the Academy structure.

These players are given a professional contract by the Scottish Rugby Academy. Although given placements at professional clubs, they are not contracted by Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh etc. Players graduate from the Academy when a professional club contract is offered.[1]

Nationally selected and regionally supported players

Players selected by Scottish Rugby and supported through the Academy based on Academy Membership Terms but who are also separately contracted by the Scottish Rugby Union and aligned to a professional club and supported regionally within the Academy structure.[3]

The Caledonia Academy was the first of the four academies built in Scotland, a year before the others arrived in 2015. Originally Bruce Frame was announced as manager of the Caledonia Academy.[4] He has since been joined with other coaches.[5] Both Aberdeen University and the Aberdeen Sports Village offer their facilities to the rugby union students.[5]

Former Scotland international scrum-half Graeme Beveridge was announced as manager of the Edinburgh Academy.[6]

The facilities include a number of exercise physiology labs, one featuring an environment chamber that simulates altitude, humidity, and hot and cold conditions.

An extension will be built to the University's current performance gym, which will include a 20-metre running track and physio area, as well as free weights and cardio machines.[7]

Along with the announcement of Bruce Frame, Jamie Dempsey was initially appointed Manager of the Glasgow and West Academy.[4] After leaving the Scotland women's national rugby union team on 2019, Shade Munro is now the Lead Coach of the Glasgow Academy.[8]

Work went underway to create a new purpose built facility, on-site at Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, with fitness and medical equipment, all part of Scottish Rugby's major policy initiative to develop a regional Academy system. [9]

The Glasgow and West Academy has relocated to the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell for season 2019-20.[8]

The Borders and East Lothian Academy will operate from the Netherdale Campus, in Galashiels.

This is the fourth and final facility to be announced and has been made possible through a partnership with Heriot-Watt University, Borders College, Gala Junior Rugby Council and the Borders Sport and Leisure Trust.

Chris Dewsnap, the Borders and East Lothian Academy Manager, and his staff will have access to gym facilities at TriFitness and the 3G pitch at Fairydean, while Heriot-Watt will provide office, rehab and medical space, with Hayward Pavilion hosting changing and on-field medical facilities. Borders College will provide access to the gym and will offer additional office space.[10]