Scotland

Criminals' cash used to grow grassroot rugby

ESPN Staff

The Scottish government will use more than £2 million seized from criminals to help develop grassroots rugby.

Part of the CashBack for Communities programme, the money will used to support development officers around the country who work with clubs, schools and community groups. It is claimed that the number of registered players at clubs has schools has more than doubled since the launch of the scheme in 2008.

"The money is taken from those who have harmed our communities where we've confiscated assets and taken stuff from them," Scotland's justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said. "We're now putting it back in to make Scotland and our communities better places.

"What we see with the rugby is youngsters improving themselves, they're having fun, feeling better about themselves, getting healthier and I've heard from teachers that it improves their behaviour in school. It's also growing the clubs and developing the community because these youngsters are better citizens and they contribute back, so this is a win-win situation.

"We have boys and girls playing today and pupils are coming from across the area, not just private schools, so it's doing well. We want to see the game grow and expand but we want young people just to achieve their full potential and also to enjoy themselves."

About £1.25 million of CashBack funds has also been invested in rugby facilities across the country.

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