Scotland’s two professional rugby teams will benefit from increased access to the facilities on offer at David Lloyd Leisure, the leading racquets, health and fitness group in the UK, after the clubs’ joint deal for the use of four first-class facilities across the central belt was extended today.
The enhanced tie-up was announced at David Lloyd Leisure, Edinburgh, near the Gyle, one of the sites used by the Edinburgh Rugby squad along with David Lloyd Leisure at Newhaven Harbour in Leith.
Glasgow Warriors players, meanwhile, enjoy the gym, pool, spa and racquets facilities to be found at David Lloyd Leisure Glasgow West End, located just minutes from the club’s training and playing bases at Scotstoun and Firhill respectively.
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 one of Europe’s largest racquet, health and fitness operators.
The David Lloyd Leisure Group boasts 78 sites in the UK and Ireland, and a further ten in prime European cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels and Dublin.
Membership of the group is 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 Leisure offers some 12,500 exercise machines, over 150 swimming pools, more than 10,000 exercise classes per week and unparalleled racquets facilities.
Edinburgh Rugby's record breaking try scorer Tim Visser helped celebrate the launch of the deal, along with Warriors’ wing Michael Doneghan.
Visser said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ll have the opportunity to keep using David Lloyd Leisure clubs this season and to have access to the standard of facility that David Lloyd Leisure offer.”
Doneghan agreed: “I know I speak for the rest of the players when I say that we’re delighted this partnership is going from strength to strength as David Lloyd Leisure is a great environment to train.”
Edinburgh Rugby chief executive Craig Docherty also expressed his delight at the news.
He said: “Edinburgh Rugby are dedicated to growing our links with the local community, including those with local businesses, that can help support our development.
“As well as having some of the best rugby players in Scotland using their first-class facilities, the partnership will enable David Lloyd Leisure access to supporter communications and match-day facilities, allowing them to further promote their message of a healthy and active lifestyle to the rugby community in Scotland.”
Kenny Baillie, the Glasgow Warriors chief executive, said: “It’s a really positive step to have strengthened the partnership. It’s one that both sides obtain a lot of value from.
“David Lloyd Leisure 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.”
Brian Docherty, Cluster Manager at David Lloyd Leisure, confirmed: “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 and support the two pro-teams as well as the national side as we enter into exciting times for Scottish rugby."
