CHAIRMAN TO STAND DOWN

Scotland Rugby League Chairman, Clive Mason has today announced that he will not be standing for re-election come the Annual General Meeting in September

I have been the Chairman since Mr Graham Watson resigned in 1997 and I feel the time is right to stand down and let somebody else take the reigns.

Since the appointment of Mark Senter as Development Officer last March the junior development programme in and around the Glasgow District has never been stronger, which is testament to his drive and self-motivation.  Mark and his coaching staff have managed to deliver the Rugby League Development programme to in excess of 3000 boys and girls.  The culmination of the programme has been the recent introduction of the after schools league.

Senior Rugby League is at last starting to flourish. The 2002 season is about to kick off an eight team competition, which is mainly concentrated in the central belt.  However, we have had positive enquires from other areas in Scotland whom wish to join the Conference next season.

It is also encouraging to see that the Scottish Students are continuing to go from strength to strength.  I am sure that they will do well in this year’s student world cup.

In addition to this the recent announcement of a formal Four Nations competition starting this June is an exciting prospect for the players involved in Scotland and will hopefully encourage more to take up this great sport.

I will miss what has become a very large part of my life and have some great memories over the past five years in particular, the World Cup, the two Super league games at Tynecastle and of course the Two Challenge Cup Finals at Murrayfield.

I am certain that Scotland Rugby League will continue to thrive and will in the near future be looking to break away from the apron strings of the Rugby Football League which has been it’s lifeline for so long.

[Mark Brown - 11/04/02]