Scotland beef up off field team

Scott Forrest, former captain of Scotland 7s, and Sarah Dixon, former internationalist and Scotland Women 7s player, will join Scottish Rugby from roles at sportscotland and Sport Wales respectively.Forrest will join as Scotland Women High Performance Manager, ensuring players are given specific training, access to relevant competitions and the necessary lifestyle support elite sport involves, alongside being the Head Coach of Scotland Women 7s. He recently led Scotland back to the top of European sevens with promotion to next year’s Grand Prix.Dixon takes the position of High Performance Pathway Programme Manager and will concentrate on the route players take from universities, colleges and the BT Sport Academy into developing age-grade and national levels.The new roles will focus on creating improved depth at the elite end of the women’s game.Forrest and Dixon will report to Head of Academy and Performance Programmes, Stephen Gemmell.He said: “Scott and Sarah’s experience at the top level will be invaluable as we continue to develop elite women’s rugby in Scotland“They both bring excellent insight into rugby and the wider sporting world and we look forward to working with them.“Their roles will increase the support that players have as they improve their game and build the skillsets they need to perform at their best for their country, whatever their age or experience.”Dixon’s role includes talent identification, expanding a coaching network to support player development from age-grade to the national team and providing links between the different stages of players’ careers.She said: “I’m excited to be back involved with the Scotland Women’s set-up as we continue to grow and improve.“It’s good to see the team expanding and I’m looking forward to working with the players and coaching staff at all levels.”Forrest brings substantial previous experience as Head Coach with Scotland Women 7s and as Assistant Coach at Ayr, as well as on-field experience captaining Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.He will focus on elite player development, including strength and conditioning and nutrition, in addition to his coaching duties.Forrest said: “This is a great time to be involved with women’s rugby in Scotland.“The sides are developing well and things are looking good both on and off the pitch.”