John Macphail Scholarship Explained

John Macphail Scholarship
Sport:Rugby Union
Awardedfor:Aspiring players and coaches
Sponsor:The Robertson Trust and Scottish Rugby Union
Country:Scotland
First:2005
Firstwinner:John Barclay

The John Macphail Scholarship is an annual rugby union scholarship award in Scotland. It was first given to talented young players; and was later the scholarship also extended to coaches seeking development. The scholarship is named after the former Scotland international rugby union player John Macphail, who died in 2004. The scholarship is a 5 month immersive rugby union programme abroad. Previously award winners have gone to New Zealand, recent award winners now go to South Africa for the programme.[1]

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the scholarship was not awarded in 2020 or 2021.

John Macphail

John Macphail was a Scottish rugby union player who played for Edinburgh Academicals, Edinburgh District and the Scotland international side. He was capped twice in the period 1949 to 1951.

He became Chairman of the Edrington Group in Drumchapel, Glasgow; and was awarded a CBE. The Edrington Group is a private company, known for its whiskies like The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and The Macallan,[2] and is owned by the Robertson Trust.

The scholarship was awarded in his memory.

The Robertson Trust

The Robertson Trust was established in 1961 when 3 Robertson sisters - owners of the then family run Edrington Group - donated their shares for charitable causes. The trust today is a charity in Scotland that gives grants to alleviate poverty and trauma. In addition, the Robertson Trust also provide monies for young people to help them progress in their career, and to mitigate financial barriers.

The trust, together with the Scottish Rugby Union, in this award thus provides financial backing for these players and coaches to develop in their rugby union career.

In 2023, Jim Robertson, CEO of the Robertson Trust stated:[3]

The John Macphail Scholarship has proved to be instrumental in the development of some of the brightest player and coach prospects in Scotland and The Robertson Trust is incredibly proud to have been part of that journey.

List of awardees

data-sort-type="number" Year No.YearPlayer 1Player 2Player 3Coach 1Coach 2
12005BarclayJohn Barclay
22006HoggGraham Hogg
32007BryceKevin Bryce
42008GrantRoddy Grant[4]
52009NivenLewis Niven
62010GillesFinlay Gillies
72011GilchristGrant GilchristLeonardHarry LeonardTurnerGeorge Turner
82012GrayJonny GrayHunterGregor HunterPatersonChris PatersonFisherBen Fisher[5]
92013Hidalgo-ClyneSam Hidalgo-ClyneRussellFinn Russell[6] MunroShade MunroDuncanAlex Duncan
102014AsheAdam Ashe[7] McQuillinEwan McQuillinCaskieDon CaskieFisherKenny Murray
112015Hunter-HillCallum Hunter-HillRobbinsBen RobbinsCairnsBen CairnsHodgeDuncan Hodge
122016KellyPaddy KellyMcCannRoss McCannBlairMike BlairForresterCalum Forrester[8]
132017FraserAngus FraserJardineAndrew JardineKellyGuy Kelly[9]
142018JeffreyThomas JeffreyHenryJacob HenryKayKristian Kay[10]
152019HeronMikey HeronLambertonCole LambertonScottAdam Scott[11]
162020ZZZZZZYNo awards - coronavirus
172021ZZZZZZZNo awards - coronavirus
182022KirkpatrickGuy KirkpatrickJobMonroe JobSmythCallum Smyth[12]
192023WhiteBen WhiteArnoldJoss ArnoldCraigJack Craig[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South African scholarship for rising stars of rugby. Border Telegraph.
  2. Web site: Drumchapel works of Edrington makes some of the world's best-loved Scotch whiskeys Stock Photo - Alamy .
  3. Web site: The Macphail Scholarship returns with three young players bound for South Africa. Shona. Ironside. January 11, 2023. Scottish Rugby.
  4. Web site: Grant wins Macphail scholarship. May 5, 2008. ESPN.com.
  5. Web site: Gray, Hunter and Fisher Receive John Macphail Scholarship. Rory. Baldwin. April 2, 2012. Scottish Rugby Blog.
  6. Web site: Glasgow Warriors | Finn Russell to benefit from Macphail Scholarship. www.glasgowwarriors.com.
  7. Web site: Glasgow Warriors | Adam Ashe to benefit from Macphail scholarship. www.glasgowwarriors.com.
  8. Web site: MACPHAIL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED. David. Barnes. April 5, 2016. The Offside Line.
  9. Web site: John Macphail Scholarship trio set for trip of a lifetime. Stuart. Bathgate. December 5, 2017. The Offside Line.
  10. Web site: Latest recipients of the John Macphail Rugby Scholarship announced. David. Barnes. January 8, 2019. The Offside Line.
  11. Web site: Macphail Rugby – GH Media.
  12. Web site: Latest John Macphail Scholarship cohort unveiled. David. Barnes. January 11, 2023. The Offside Line.
  13. https://scottishrugby.org/three-of-the-best-bound-for-south-africa-on-macphail-scholarship/

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