Scotland’s two professional rugby teams will benefit from increased access to the facilities on offer at David Lloyd, the leading racquets, health and fitness group in the UK, after the agreement of a joint deal that grants players access to four first-class facilities across the central belt.
The enhanced tie-up was announced today at David Lloyd Renfrew, a recently refurbished site now available for use by the Glasgow Warriors squad along with David Lloyd Glasgow West End, located just minutes from the club’s training and playing bases at Scotstoun and Firhill respectively.
Edinburgh players, meanwhile, can now enjoy the gym, pool, spa and racquets facilities to be found at David Lloyd Edinburgh, situated by the Gyle Centre, and David Lloyd Edinburgh Newhaven Harbour in Leith.
BRIAN DOCHERTY, CLUSTER MANAGER FOR DAVID LLOYD EDINBURGH, TALKS TO BLACK AND RED RADIO ABOUT THE DEAL
As well as being able to engage directly with potential supporters through the use of on-site communication, the pro-teams will benefit from the expertise of what is Europe’s largest racquets, health and fitness operator. The David Lloyd Leisure Group boasts 78 sites in the UK and Ireland, and a further ten in prime European locales such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels and Dublin.
Membership of the group numbers in excess of 450,000, with expert user support provided by a 750-strong health and fitness team and more than 350 tennis professionals. Across its clubs, David Lloyd offers some 12,500 exercise machines, over 150 swimming pools, more than 10,000 exercise classes per week and unparalleled racquets facilities.
Edinburgh stars Netani Talei and Ross Samson today helped celebrate the launch of the deal, along with Warriors favourites Al Kellock and Chris Cusiter.
Talei said: “Since joining Edinburgh in the summer, I’ve really enjoyed my visits to David Lloyd and know I speak for the rest of the players when I say that we’re delighted this partnership is going from strength to strength.
“Professional rugby is all about small margins, so knowing you have a top-quality facility on hand before and after games is a real boost.”
Craig Docherty, the Edinburgh chief executive, confirmed: “We’ve had extremely positive feedback about the David Lloyd experience, both from our players and our fitness and conditioning staff.
“With that in mind, it’s a really positive step to have confirmed and strengthened the partnership. It’s one that both sides obtain a lot of value from. David Lloyd are providing us with an appropriate level of facility for our world-class athletes, and we can help them encourage the spread of positive health and fitness habits across Scottish society.”
Glasgow and Scotland scrum-half Custier said: “It’s great to have access to the standard of facility that David Lloyd offer, and it’s fantastic news that we’ll have the opportunity to keep using them this season.
Marc Crothall, cluster manager for David Lloyd’s Glasgow clubs added: “The David Lloyd Leisure clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow are delighted to be the official fitness partners of both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.
“We hope that through in-club awareness, both with the players using the facilities to train in and with dedicated notice boards promoting Edinburgh and Warriors matches, it will encourage our 20,000-plus members in the central belt to go along & support the two pro-teams as well as the national side as we enter into exciting times for Scottish rugby."
