ALBA: SRU URGED TO ADOPT 'ALBA' STRIP
The Celtic League have urged the Scottish Rugby Union to replicate moves made by Scotland's Soccer Team and include the word ALBA on the rugby kit.
The Celtic League supported a petition which called on the Scottish Football Association to make the move in 2005 see:
A year later the SFA implemented the change.
It is hoped that the SRU will also respond positively. A letter from the Celtic League General Secretary is set out below:
"George Jack President Scottish Rugby Union Scottish Rugby Murrayfield Edinburgh EH12 5PJ
04/06/08
Dear George Jack
Inclusion of 'Alba' on Scottish Rugby kit
I am writing to you to make a request to include the word 'Alba' on Scotland's rugby kit. As you will know, 'Alba' is the Scottish Gaelic word for Scotland.
You will be aware that the Scottish football team included the word 'Alba' on their kits back in 2006 and this year the kits will be worn for the first time during Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier against the Faeroe Islands in September. Also, on the Welsh national rugby kit, the word 'Cymru' (Wales in the Welsh language) is written on the front of the shirt and has been for many years.
The Celtic League would like to know, if Scottish Rugby Union has any plans to change the kit in the future and if so whether the organization is prepared to consider adding the word 'Alba'. Also could you please inform us of the procedure that any change in the design of the kit would have to take.
We look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot Celtic League General Secretary"
The SRU initiative was the subject of a resolution to the 2007 Celtic League AGM which was held in Cardiff (the text of that resolution is set out below):
"This AGM:
Congratulates the Scottish Football Association on including 'Alba' on its national strip and requests that 'Alba' is moved to the front of the shirt. Calls on the Scottish Rugby Union to do likewise."
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
04/06/08
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