RUGBY PETITION CALLS FOR ALBA STRIP A Celtic League online petition to the Scotland Rugby Union (SRU) has reached over 1000 signatures. The petition calls on the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) to include the name of Scotland in the Gaelic language ? Alba ? on its rugby kit. The petition was reated by the General Secretary (GS) of the Celtic League following a discussion with members of the Alba (Scotland) Branch at the organisation's annual general meeting in Dublin. The reasoning behind the petition is to ensure that the Gaelic language is used more prominently in the public sphere. The petition reads: We the undersigned, call upon the Scottish Rugby Union to proudly display `Alba' (the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland), alongside Scotland, on the front of the national rugby team shirt.
The GS has written to the president of the SRU, Ian McLauchlan, and copied the letter to the SRU chairman and the SRU supporters club to tell them about the development. The GS has asked the president for a response on the matter and the full text of the letter is set out below. 16.09.11. Dear Ian McLauchlan Petition Call I am writing to inform you about an online petition calling on the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) to include the Gaelic language word for Scotland ? Alba ? on the Scottish rugby kit. The petition currently has over 1000 signatures and reads: We the undersigned, call upon the Scottish Rugby Union to proudly display
`Alba' (the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland), alongside Scotland, on the front of the national rugby team shirt. I would like you to give serious consideration to including the word `Alba' on the Scottish rugby kit as a permanent feature, because we think that this would be a simple and effective way for the SRU to show their commitment to the Gaelic
language. In addition, the inclusion of the word `Alba' on the shirt would give Gaelic greater prominence in the public sphere in Scotland and internationally. I look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter. Yours sincerely Rhisiart Tal-e-bot CC Sir Moir Lockhead, Chairman
Scotland Rugby Supporters Club
Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Petition Link: (voir le site) For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact: Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League: Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666 gensec@ The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query. ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE. 17/09/11 The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues Internet site at: (voir le site)
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