Scottish Rugby’s Grassroots Impact: New Report Reveals £159.16 Million Annual Economic Boost

In May 2024, Scottish Rugby unveiled a Social Return on Investment (SROI) report highlighting the significant economic benefits of rugby participation and volunteering across Scotland.

The report reveals that grassroots rugby contributes at least £159.16 million annually to the Scottish economy, translating to a return on investment ratio of 7.71. This figure excludes contributions from professional players and assets like the Scottish Gas Murrayfield stadium.

The £159.16 million annual benefit is categorized into three main pillars: Social (£41.2 million), Economic (£13.46 million), and Health and Wellbeing (£103.31 million). These values are conservative estimates, with the most substantial contributions coming from volunteering efforts valued at £31 million and subjective wellbeing benefits estimated at £92 million, in line with findings from other sports-related SROI studies.

Data for the report was collected from over 1,600 players, parents, volunteers, and match officials, as well as more than 60% of member clubs across the country. The findings indicate that rugby participation has a measurable positive impact on mental health, reducing depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, and improving overall wellbeing. It also enhances school attendance and educational performance, reduces juvenile crime, promotes volunteering, and lowers the incidences of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

For non-professional rugby players, the report estimates an annual return of over £3,000 per player, covering approximately 50,000 club rugby participants between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. The annual expenditure on club rugby by the 155 member clubs and Scottish Rugby was £24.4 million in 2022/23, with investments in facilities and the use of 416 rugby pitches contributing a gross value add (GVA) of £7.5 million.

Keith Wallace, Vice President of Scottish Rugby and Chair of its Club Rugby Board, stated, “Our Social Impact and Valuation Report is a groundbreaking achievement. It provides concrete evidence of the immense value delivered by our volunteers and the extensive benefits of club rugby to players, communities, and the Scottish economy. An 8:1 return on investment in grassroots rugby is remarkable, and we are committed to supporting and partnering with clubs to grow participation, attracting new investments focused on ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance) to amplify these positive impacts.”

Sports Minister Maree Todd expressed, “This report underscores the profound social, economic, and health benefits of grassroots sports like rugby. Physical activity and sports improve mental and physical health and strengthen communities. The dedication of volunteers is invaluable, and I extend my gratitude to all involved in this report and the grassroots rugby community in Scotland. I look forward to collaborating with Scottish Rugby to continue supporting the growth of the sport.”

Tim Crabbe, CEO of Substance, the company behind the report, commented, “Scottish Rugby’s robust data and insights are reflected in the compelling findings of this report. We are confident that these values represent a baseline that can be enhanced with further evaluation and service improvements. Importantly, we believe these findings will guide new policies and programs to maximize rugby’s benefits for all Scottish communities.”

Gav Scott, Scottish Rugby Director of Rugby Development, added, “We welcome the findings of this crucial report, which validate the significant value and reach of rugby in Scotland. This is just the beginning, and we aim to explore more opportunities to delve deeper into our sport. A special thanks to the club representatives who provided essential data and insights for Substance—your efforts made this possible.”

Read the full report by clicking here.