Why are we crowdfunding?
Stephen Pearson is the Chairman of London Scottish International Limited (LSIL) and President of LSFC. He is a former Oxford Blue at Rugby and played for London Scottish for 10 years or so. Currently he is an RFU Council Member and a member of the RFU Board.
In 1878, our London Scottish Founders pledged to provide rugby at all levels for Scots in London - and the Club has done this very successfully for the best part of the last 145 years.
More recently COVID has taken its toll and it’s been tougher. But in spite of all that our amateur rugby team, the London Scottish Lions, built back strongly. They are performing well and providing a great rugby experience for players and supporters alike. For our 1st XV Championship squad we’ve secured an excellent partnership with Premiership Club Harlequins as well as top level coaching and training set ups.
But while these new arrangements are bedding in the 1st XV has taken a while to fully settle and find form - just when the whole structure of the game in England is also under critical review and there’s arguably, never been a more important time for us to maintain our place in the Championship league.
Our aim is to play competitive rugby in the highest league that enables us to do that whether it be the Championship or National One. This is about helping the club in a time of need across the club and when rugby needs it. It is not about paying players. We need a proper club set up to be able to compete in the Championship. Central funding and match day attendance doesn’t cover that. The intention is to be financially sustainable and, in the longer term, to build a base for Scots diaspora around the world.
For the longer term, our aim is to be a thriving, sustainable Club playing attractive rugby at the very highest level we can afford and continuing to act as a stepping stone for players to progress to the Scottish international side as well as providing a warm welcome for all Scots and Exiles arriving or resident in London.
Here is our Director of Rugby Bryan Redpath. He won 60 caps for Scotland, captaining the team on a number of occasions. He has had a number of Director of Rugby and Head Coach roles and brings a wealth of experience to the London Scottish Championship 1st XV.
Community impact
London Scottish has a rich heritage and story and, uniquely, is a member of both the English and Scottish Rugby Unions. Our supporters, mostly fellow Scots and friends of Scottish rugby, are former players and fans from among the Scottish diaspora in London and the South East
Events and ticket sales are highly dependent on ongoing success on the pitch. Current investor base is some 160 individuals with a further 3,000 or so members supporting the Club.
We are working to realize our vision of becoming an open and inclusive club. We are deeply rooted in our community and Scottish heritage – and also committed to future proofing our model to attract and ever increasing Exile community. Where ever you are, who ever you are, London Scottish is your home for rugby.
The London Scottish Community Programme was launched in 2009 and works alongside local schools, colleges and universities, as well as its amateur membership, to provide and deliver a range of sporting initiatives across four key areas: education, participation, health and inclusion.
Through the power of sport, the London Scottish Community Programme aims to inspire every individual it works with to unlock their physical, mental and academic potential in a fun and supporting environment.
Since its inception the programme has delivered and celebrated many successes across a broad range of activation in South West London particularly the local boroughs of Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow.
We support local businesses and promote them at ‘featured’ matches, we have a vibrant mini’s and juniors section that draws on local kids from schools and communities in Brentford through, Kew, Richmond and beyond.
In addition, we have ‘featured’ matches that allows free match access for students, services personnel and women.
The Scottish diaspora is much bigger than just London and the South East . It not only reaches into Scotland and its rugby clubs, universities and schools but also internationally into rugby clubs and Caledonian communities around the world. These are notably in Canada, United States, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, but also elsewhere in South Africa and Argentina.
The videos below and above features our Championship 1st XV in action and challenging and getting over line against Edinburgh, Jersey, Coventry and Ealing
How we are crowdfunding?
This crowdfunding effort is designed as a short term boost to bolster the top team and coaches this season and to help build our supporter base initially in Phase 1 locally in London and South East, then in Phase 2 Elsewhere in UK and Overseas to ensure London Scottish finishes in the Championship this season.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Funds are needed in the short term to bolster the top team and coaches and training facilities to ensure London Scottish finishes the season in the Championship.
How you can play your part
There are two simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
a) Make a pledge and claim your reward whether it be: game tickets, a selection of clothing and kit. There will be a monthly draw throughout Jan, Feb and March for a bottle of 15 year old Glengoyne Malt Whisky. The largest donor will receive 6 All Day Hospitality Suite Tickets to the HSBC London Sevens on 20 May 2023.
Please don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
b) Spread the word. Share our project on your network and social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get, and the more our fan base will grow.