SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship returns for ninth year with STEM at its heart

17 Feb 2026

The SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship returns this week for its ninth year, continuing an award-winning community partnership that places both rugby and STEM education firmly in the spotlight.

The first qualifying matches will take place at Scotstoun Stadium, following the official launch of the 2026 competition on Wednesday 21 January.

Six schools attended the launch alongside Glasgow Warriors hooker Gregor Hiddleston, with the Championship final scheduled to be held in May.

The tournament has been developed to widen access to grassroots rugby by giving schools from across Scotland the opportunity to compete on the Warriors’ home stage.

Alongside the on-field action, the Championship also introduces pupils to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) pathways, helping to showcase career opportunities that many students may not have previously considered.

Twenty schools will compete for this year’s trophy, with Troon’s Marr College aiming to claim a third consecutive Championship title.

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director Kenny Brown said: “We’re proud to once again launch the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship and continue a partnership that delivers real impact for young people across Scotland.

“The Championships go beyond rugby, shining a spotlight on the importance of STEM education while helping to widen access to the game.

“By bringing sport and learning together, we hope to inspire pupils both on and off the pitch as they begin their journey in this year’s competition.”

In a first for the competition, this year’s launch event was hosted at SP Energy Networks’ Dealain House training facility in Cumbernauld.

Pupils were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the site, including training areas used for specialist skills such as jointing and pole climbing.

Iain Divers, Head of Distribution Networks at SP Energy Networks, added: “It was great to be able to welcome the students to Dealain House and show them a small selection of the work we do to keep the lights on. I hope we were able to inspire some budding future engineers.”

From a schools’ perspective, Rory Cooper, School of Rugby Lead at Irvine Royal Academy, said: “This is our second shot at the Championship. As a new rugby-playing school, we have introduced lots of pupils to rugby for the first time.

“The growth in our programme has been massive, with SP Energy Networks being one of those drivers. The pupils are desperate to come back and play at Scotstoun again, the home of the Warriors.”