SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship returns for 2022

Schools’ rugby is back at the home of Glasgow Warriors this month, with the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship making its long-anticipated return to Scotstoun Stadium.

A total of 20 schools, from Glasgow, the West and Caledonia, with over 800 girls and boys participating, are set to take part in the competition that runs from February to May and is delivered by Glasgow Warriors and its Official Community Partner, SP Energy Networks.

This is the fifth year SP Energy Networks have partnered with Glasgow Warriors to support the Championship, which aims to improve access to grassroots level rugby whilst teaching valuable life skills like team working, leadership and communication skills, and promoting healthy living across the communities they serve.

The 2022 championship runs over eight weeks from Tuesday 23 February and will culminate in the final at Scotstoun Stadium in May.

Each school is represented by a trio of teams – an S1 boys side, an S2 boys outfit and an under-15s girls team. The combined performances of each team determines the overall standings in each stage of the championship.

? We’re delighted that the @SPEnergyNetwork Warriors Championship returns to Scotstoun this week for the first time since 2020.

2⃣0⃣ schools and more than 8⃣0⃣0⃣ participants are set to take part over the next eights weeks! ? pic.twitter.com/I0W5IFYd0c
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 21, 2022

Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re celebrating the fifth year of the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship this year and I’m delighted to see the schools back on the pitch after two years of virtual grassroots rugby engagement.

“This is an amazing opportunity for young people to get active and find out more about career opportunities in sport and engineering. The Championship not only promotes effective teamwork and mental health awareness, but also helps to remove barriers demonstrating that both rugby and engineering are for everyone.

“Our communities are at the heart of everything we do, so I’m glad that we’re able to promote healthy lifestyles and support the next generation of rugby stars and engineers through this programme and beyond.”

Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Al Kellock, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship at Scotstoun Stadium once again this season.

“The past two years have been difficult for all of us as we have dealt with the pandemic, particularly with there being less opportunities to play rugby at grassroots.

“Being able to encourage healthy living through rugby to youngsters across Glasgow, the West and Caledonia is a pleasure and a key part of the culture we are creating at Glasgow Warriors.

“Over the next few weeks many young people from schools across Scotland will try rugby for the very first time and it is our hope that this championship is just the beginning of their rugby journeys.”

More on the competition structure can be found here.

Competition schedule

Qualification day – 22 February

Eastwood High School
St Paul’s RC
Stonelaw High School
Annan Academy
East Kilbride schools (St Andrews & St Brides High School, Calderglen High school, Duncanrig Secondary)

Qualification day – 1 March

Balfron High School
Marr College
St Andrews RC
Dumfries schools (Wallace Hall, NW Community Campus, St Josephs, and Dumfries High School)
Coatbridge High School

Qualification day – 8 March