Premium red meat unites Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby in first-of-its-kind partnership

Premium red meat unites Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby in first-of-its-kind partnership

With the domestic rugby season kicking off, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby as part of its new education programme for young players - focusing on the positive role of premium red meat in health and performance.

Through this collaboration, QMS will educate young athletes, parents, and communities on the benefits of incorporating Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork into their diets. As well as profiling the red meat quality assurance brands at home matches, the deal includes access to specialists and public health professionals for creating learning resources and recipes, and player appearances from both sides at eight educational development days held across Scotland.

Sarah Millar, Chief Executive of QMS commented: “Through this partnership, we are uniquely bringing the two Scottish professional clubs together to endorse the importance of our high-quality red meat in athletic performance.

“It is vital that the nutritional benefits of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork – a great source of protein, iron and vitamin B12 – is integrated into the fabric of Scottish sports and daily life.

“By promoting educational opportunities and practical resources, we aim to inspire young and aspiring athletes and their families to make informed dietary choices that will fuel their success on and off the field.”

Players on both sides know first-hand the important role of the rural and red meat supply chain in supporting our society, including Edinburgh Rugby’s Patrick (Paddy) Harrison, and Glasgow Warriors’ Murphy Walker and Fergus Watson who have grown up on family farms. The QMS development days are aimed at engaging the next generation of sport stars on the benefits of quality red meat, such as Fergus who made his Scotland U20 debut appearance against Wales in February 2024.

Whilst recognising that different positions have different nutritional requirements, the QMS resources will highlight that all rugby players benefit from red meat energy sources to bolster both strength and stamina, as well as support recovery.

To manage the new programme, experienced school teacher and rugby club volunteer, Aileen Marchant joined as Sports and Community Coordinator this year, and said:

“This initiative links learning about the nutritional benefits of red meat to a popular sport, which we hope will resonate, inspire and empower our next generation of athletes. Together with Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby, we are committed to promoting a balanced and nutritious approach to sports and community health, creating a legacy of wellbeing and excellence for generations to come.

“This is a pilot scheme in which we will gather participant feedback - we hope to make a positive impact and extend the educational programme to other sports in the future.”

Glen Tippett, Head of Commercial at Glasgow Warriors, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with such an iconic Scottish brand as Quality Meat Scotland, as we look to help our players reach peak performance on and off the field.

“Not only are QMS passionate about delivering high-quality produce to our players and supporters across the country, they are also keen to make a tangible difference to the community, a value we are also proud to champion at Glasgow Warriors.

“We look forward to working closely together in the coming months and seasons, and we’d like to thank QMS for their support.”

Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland international hooker Harrison, said: "As a rugby player, it’s crucial to have the right fuel to perform at my best.

“I’ve always been a big advocate for the role of quality red meat in my diet. Growing up on a farm, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of sustainable and nutritious food.

“Red meat provides the protein and essential nutrients I need to recover and build strength. I’m excited to see Edinburgh Rugby partner with QMS, an organisation committed to producing high-quality Scottish red meat."

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director, Douglas Struth said: “We are thrilled to partner with Quality Meat Scotland to promote healthy lifestyles and nutrition education.

“We share QMS's commitment to supporting the well-being of our players and fans and we’re excited to work them to bring this partnership to life over the coming months with a number of forward-thinking initiatives already underway.”

The eight development days across Glasgow and Edinburgh will comprise of a number of workshops on topics such as nutrition, development, mental wellbeing, rugby skills, strength and conditioning, and animal health and wellbeing to aid the understanding of where our food comes from and how the Scotch and Specially Selected labels can guarantee quality

A key highlight of the initiative will be the launch of the ‘Eat to Compete’ recipe book. This resource will feature nutritious recipes, player wellbeing advice, and essential nutritional information. Additionally, it will include a map of Scotland’s rugby clubs with QR codes linking to further recipes and resources. The book aims to guide athletes and communities on maintaining a healthy diet, understanding the Scotch and Specially Selected brands, and exploring career opportunities in the agriculture-sector post-rugby.

For more information about the programme, follow QMS on social media or visit qmscotland.co.uk