SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship 2024

Scottish schools compete for rugby ‘try’-umph at Glasgow Warriors Stadium

Starting on Tuesday 20 February, 1,000 young rugby players across Scotland are hoping to ‘try’-umph in an exciting sporting challenge at the home of Glasgow Warriors when the 2024 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship gets underway at Scotstoun Stadium next week.

The Championship—now in its seventh year—was created by the club and the electricity network operator to help improve access to grassroots level rugby.

SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE BOTH ON AND OFF THE PITCH

The competition also supports young people to develop teamworking, leadership and communications skills, while promoting science and showcasing STEM opportunities. The partnership aims to inspire players to think about future careers in STEM, with Glasgow Science Centre providing the venue for the official launch of the 2024 Championship.

Young people from 23 schools across four rugby regions (Glasgow South, Glasgow North, Caledonia Midlands, and Caledonia North) will be tackling the 2024 challenge between February and May.

SP ENERGY NETWORKS CEO STATEMENT

Guy Jefferson, SP Energy Networks Chief Operating Officer, said: “The SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship is a terrific celebration of sport, rugby, science, and business. We’re really proud that we’ve supported almost 5,000 young people through the programme so far, with around 1,000 more taking part this year.

“Communities are at the heart of everything we do, and this is an inspiring way for young people to get into rugby and learn more about teamwork and discipline while gaining an understanding of the synergies between sport, science and business and how this can help shape their futures. I wish everyone the best of luck – I’ll be cheering them on.”

PLAYER COMMENTS

To give the players some inspiration and top tips on how to get match-ready, they were joined at Glasgow Science Centre by special guests Ceitidh Ainsworth, Holland Bogan and Chloe Brown from Glasgow Warriors’ first-ever women’s team.

All three are no strangers to the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship, having faced each other in the 2019 final, where Ceitidh and Chloe’s Wallace High team took the title from Holland’s Eastwood High.

They were excited to meet this year’s contenders and wished them the best of luck.

Chloe said: “Based on my experience, the Championship gives young players the chance to play serious rugby for the first time in a competitive environment and definitely helps boost confidence and skills.”

Ceitidh added: “It’s great to play against other female teams and to get a different experience to the club rugby you’re used to playing at school. And it’s good to see opportunities like this available for young players.”

Holland said: “The Championship is a brilliant way to support young people into rugby—both boys and girls—and it’s great they get the chance to play alongside each other. It’s going to be an exciting competition.”

Glasgow Warriors first team tighthead prop and Scotland international Murphy Walker also stopped by to meet the school hopefuls. He said: “This is the first year I’ve been involved with the Championship and it’s really cool to see how excited the kids are for the competition. This allows them to not only take their playing to the next level, but to learn so much more.

“It would have been unbelievable to have something like this when I was their age, and I know they’ll get so much out of it. These kids are the future of Scottish rugby and who knows, we might even see some of them play for the nation one day!”

STATEMENT FROM AL KELLOCK

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Al Kellock, said: “Our partnership with SP Energy Networks is all about community and it’s a partnership that goes far beyond the boundaries of Glasgow city as we can see by the wide spread of schools taking part this year.

“By working together, we’re creating valuable opportunities for participation, education and competition that are already creating a legacy thanks to the likes of Ceitidh, Chloe and Holland who are now playing for the Warriors’ first-ever women’s team. It’s just incredible.

“That’s all thanks to our partnership with SP Energy Networks which, like the Championship itself, continues to grow from strength to strength and I can’t wait to see this year’s competition get underway.”

The SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship 2024 gets underway at Scotstoun Stadium on 20 February.