Scottish Rugby has reported record turnover of £61 million – up £3.9 million or 6.4% on the previous year.
The national organisation said it had been able to increase investment in the grassroots game in to £3.1million in the past 12 months while reducing its debt to achieve its best net cash position for over 25 years.
Increased revenue came largely from run of 14 sold-out Six Nations and Test matches at BT Murrayfield, broadcast, commercial and new sponsors.
More than 400,000 fans attended the six sold out matches at the national stadium this year, making it the most successful ever season for total attendance at men’s Scotland matches.
In the women’s game, the national team secured its first bespoke front-of-shirt sponsor in SP Energy Networks, as well as a new broadcast deal with BBC ALBA.
Scotland 7s won two Challenge Trophies in the 2018-19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and the Scotland Women 7s team had their first experience of the World Series and the only match win of the year by an invited team.
Glasgow Warriors narrowly missed out on lifting the Guinness PRO14 title in the final at Celtic Park, in front of a record crowd of almost 50,000 fans.
In the domestic game, boys and girls from 273 clubs and schools played regular, competitive rugby through the Mitsubishi Motors UK Schools & Youth Conferences.
Scottish Rugby chairman Colin Grassie said: “I am pleased to report that since our last AGM our turnover has grown once again by £3.9 million to a record £61m following an increase in our ticketing, broadcast, and other rugby income.
“We are also pleased to report that we are in our best net year-end cash position for over 25 years, as a direct result of balanced and sustainable financial management of the organisation – reducing debt while working to increase incomes and investment in all areas of the game. At its height, cash debt was at a level of £23 million. We are now in a new era financially and in a far stronger position.”
