PUPILS from Ayr school Kyle Academy took part in the 2018 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship at Scotstoun Stadium, the home of Glasgow Warriors late last month.

The final round of qualifying saw four schools enter S1 and S2 level boys’ teams and an under-15s girls’ team on Wednesday, April 18.

A total of 164 tries were scored across 18 matches involving 12 teams from schools including Boclair Academy, Kyle Academy, Maxwelltown High School and Lenzie Academy, with Lenzie progressing to the next round.

Glen Tippett, an SRU Schools and Youth Development Manager, watched some of the action and was delighted to see the quality of rugby and enthusiasm on show.

He said: "There was a lot of passion on display by the kids and pride in playing for their schools which is fantastic to see.

"The Scotstoun-factor will be a great experience for the players and hopefully this encourages them to come and watch Glasgow Warriors and keep playing rugby.”

Former Glasgow Warriors captain Al Kellock, now a Scottish Rugby Ambassador and Commercial Operations Manager at the club added: "The SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship is about getting a rugby ball into the hands of as many girls and boys as possible and there has been some brilliant rugby on display in the qualifying rounds.

"I was lucky enough to play professionally but for me it's about the enjoyment, having fun in a team environment.

"The friends through rugby you keep forever."

- At the beginning of this season Glasgow Warriors announced a landmark three-year partnership with SP Energy Networks which saw them become the

club’s Official Community Partner.

SP Energy Networks, which operates across central and southern Scotland, are working with Glasgow Warriors on a wide-range of community initiatives, including the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship.

Twenty-five schools and more than 1,000 boys and girls from across the west, central and southern Scotland will take part in the tournament.

The 2018 champions will take home the SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship trophy and brand new rugby kit for their school.