First institute rugby players to achieve senior honours

Wednesday 29 May 2002

The Scottish Institute of Sport is delighted to wish 'Bon Voyage' to the Scotland Rugby Squad as it departs for its tour of Canada and the USA, and in particular to send its congratulations to the three Scottish Institute of Sport players, Mike Blair, Allister Hogg and Tom Philip, who have been selected for the first time at this level.

The Scottish Institute of Sport has been supporting selected, highly talented Scottish rugby players over the last two years. The programme aims to develop individual players to help their continued progress into senior international rugby. To have three young Institute players selected to tour with the senior squad is an early boost to the Institute Rugby Programme, which has now seen 14 players progress to professional contracts.

The Institute Rugby Programme supports the players in a unique way, leading the way in terms of player support in the UK. The players benefit from one to one coaching support, individually tailored strength and conditioning and skills sessions, and video and performance analysis, impacting not on the team, but on the individuals' contribution to team performances. It highlights individual technique and skill issues, concentrates on both reactive and preventative medical support and offers help and advice on career and education. All of these support services complement the work done by the player together with his club coach.

The Institute's National High Performance Rugby Coach, Bob Easson ensures each player has a comprehensive programme based on his individual needs and utilises the extensive and expert knowledge of the Institute staff and contracted experts.

This summer's tour gives Mike, Allister and Tom the opportunity to demonstrate their development to National Coach Ian McGeechan. The Institute is confident that this represents the start of a long line of players who have been supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport, who will progress to represent Scotland at senior level.

Commenting on three of his squad's selection, Bob Easson said, "I am delighted that Mike, Allister and Tom have been given this opportunity to test their abilities at yet another level. They have all shown a high degree of commitment and hard work and deserve their chance to demonstrate their talents on this tour."

• The Scottish Institute of Sport Rugby Programme started in May 2000 and to date, 14 players have been offered professional contracts, 13 players have been involved with the Scottish U21 squad, 5 were involved in the IRB/FIRA Junior World Championship where Scotland finished fifth and 2 are currently in the national 7s squad and hopeful of selection for the Bank of Scotland Scottish Commonwealth Games Team.
• In a change to previous policy, once a player is offered a professional contract they will now continue to receive support from the Scottish Institute of Sport.

Biographies

Mike Blair DOB: 20 April 1981 Position: Scrum-Half
Mike made a try scoring appearance as a substitute in Scotland A's 13-19 defeat by their French counterparts in March 2002. It was his second appearance for Scotland A having also played as a sub against New Zealand in November 2001. He was chosen in the starting XV for the first time in the subsequent match against Wales A. Last year (2001) he represented the NIG Scottish Thistles in both the Henley-on-Thames and Amsterdam tournaments and the Scotland squad in the IRB World Series Sevens in London, where he was the top try scorer of the tournament. He has represented Scottish Schools and Scotland at U19 and U21 levels and was part of the Scotland Sevens squad in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Madrid in 2000. A member of the Scottish Institute of Sport, Mike joined Boroughmuir from Edinburgh Academicals in 2001, has signed professionally with Edinburgh Rugby for the next two seasons.

Allister Hogg DOB: 20 January 1983 Position: No8
Allister has captained Scotland age-group sides for the past two seasons. He led the top-try scoring Scotland U18 side during the 2001 Four Nations tournament and this season he captained Scotland U19 to victories over Australian Schools and their Welsh and English counterparts, on the way helping Scotland to fifth place in the IRB/FIRA Junior World Championship in Italy this year. A product of Stirling High School, Allister also played basketball for Scotland at U16 level. He is also a member of the Scottish Institute of Sport, is currently studying at Telford College in Edinburgh and will play professionally for Edinburgh Rugby next season.

Tom Philip DOB: 25 June 1983 Position: Centre
Tom enjoyed an outstanding IRB/FIRA Junior World Championship in Italy in March helping Scotland to fifth place, including victories over England and Wales. A product of Edinburgh Academy, he has represented both Edinburgh and Scotland at U15, U16, Schools, U18 and U19 level following in the footsteps of his two older brothers who have both represented Scotland at age-group level. A member of the Scottish Institute of Sport, Tom was an integral part of the Glasgow Hawks squad that reached this season's BT Cellnet Cup Final and he has signed for Edinburgh Rugby for next season.