Tag: Sport

Scotland men’s hockey squad faces Ireland in three-match series

The Scotland men’s squad has been announced for a three-match series against Ireland at Titwood this week.

The uncapped series began last night with an entertaining 1-1 draw and the nations will meet again over the weekend (Saturday 24 July at 4pm, and Sunday 25 July at 11:30am).

Due to Covid restrictions the maximum capacity is 50 spectators; Clydesdale Hockey Club is managing a ‘first come first served’ entry process for the matches, with doors open from one hour ahead of push back.

These matches come as the Scots build towards European competition. Scotland men are due to play at Men’s EuroHockey Championship II on 15-21 August in Gniezno, Poland, where they will face Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine in Pool B. Ireland, Italy, Croatia and Poland will also feature at the tournament.

The Blue Sticks will be battling for promotion back to the top tier of European hockey at the tournament in August. The Scots won EuroHockey Championship II back in 2017 in front of a full house in Glasgow, before goal difference saw them relegated from the EuroHockey Championships in 2019.

Match 1

Tommy Alexander (Uhlenhorst)

David Forrester (Grange)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Gordon Amour (Cambridge City)

Duncan Riddell (Grange)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Callum Mackenzie (Wimbledon)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Hamish Imrie (Royal Antwerp)

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)

Jamie Golden (Surbiton)

Struan Walker (Club an der Alster)

Match 2

David Forrester (Grange)

Rory McCallum (Teddington)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Aidan McQuade (Qui Vive)

Gordon Amour (Cambridge City)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Hamish Galt (Western Wildcats)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Gavin Byers (Grobflottbeker)

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Rob Harwood (Western Wildcats)

Ed Greaves (Teddington)

Struan Walker (Club an der Alster)

Match 3

Tommy Alexander (Uhlenhorst)

Sam Lloyd (East Grinstead)

Dan Coultas (Watsonians)

Murray Collins (Teddington)

Aidan McQuade (Qui Vive)

Duncan Riddell (Grange)

Robbie Croll (Edinburgh University)

Robbie Shepherdson (Grange)

Michael Bremner (Uhlenhorst)

Rob Field (Holcombe)

Callum Mackenzie (Wimbledon)

Lee Morton (Old Georgians)

Hamish Imrie (Royal Antwerp) 

Cammy Golden (Uhlenhorst)

Andrew McConnell (Western Wildcats)

Ed Greaves (Teddington)

Jamie Golden (Surbiton)

Gavin Byers (Grobflottbeker)

Lord Provost wishes Edinburgh’s Olympians good luck

The Lord Provost has wished all those born or based in the Capital the very best for the Tokyo Olympic games which open today (Friday 23 July).

Team Edinburgh includes rowers Katherine Douglas, Harry Leask, Polly Swan, Karen Bennett and Lucy Hope as well as Bradley Forbes-Cryans going for gold in the canoe slalom. In the pool will be divers Grace Reid and James Heatly, as well as swimmers Lucy Hope and Cassie Wild. 

Ross McCann will compete in the GB Rugby Sevens team, while Sarah Addlington will battle for Team GB in judo. On the track, Joshua Kerr will compete in the 1500m and shooting star Seonaid McIntosh will be gunning for a gold medal this weekend.

Lord Provost Frank Ross, said: “As Lord Provost and on behalf of the people of Edinburgh, I would like to congratulate all the athletes on their selection to represent Team GB at the forthcoming Olympic Games. They are fantastic ambassadors for the City.

“In taking part in the Games they are representing extraordinary dedication and determination in their sports and are an inspiration for sporting fans throughout the Capital. Edinburgh has impressive representation with athletes born, based or training and studying in the Capital and I’m sure residents will join me in cheering them on as they go for gold. I wish you all the very best for Tokyo 2020.”

Professional UK American Football League Sets Out to Grow the British Game

SPORTS league start-up UKFL is uniting fans, players and coaches to launch an elite American Football league in the UK – one of the few countries in Europe without a professional league.

Based out of headquarters in the North East of England, UKFL was created by a senior team made up of UK American Football coaches, players and fans.

UKFL’s first season is set to launch in May 2023, with 8 fully professional teams based in cities across the UK and the goal of delivering an authentic American gameday experience to UK fans, from exciting gameplay featuring home-grown and import players to traditional American food and drink and authentic gameday entertainment like cheerleading and tailgating.

After a soft launch in February, the UKFL has generated high levels of interest amongst UK American Football fans, with thousands signing up for social media and newsletter updates.

Now, UKFL’s senior team is in discussion with investors and corporate sponsors to secure funding for the project and is also calling on fans to offer their support via a crowdfunding campaign set to launch in September.

UKFL CEO Mick Tyler explains that fan experience is core to the league’s vision. “Right from the start we’ve committed to building the UKFL with fans at its heart. We’re committed to building something that gives our fan base real ownership and control.”

The popularity of American Football has grown rapidly in the UK in recent years, with over 4 million UK fans tuning in to the 2020 Super Bowl. In spite of this, the UK remains one of the only European countries without a professional league.

UKFL’s Director of Football Operations Jonathan Rooney believes that the lack of an elite professional option in the UK is severely limiting the sport’s potential in the UK:

“For UK players, the only opportunity to play and train at a professional level is in Europe. This forces our best players to look for opportunities abroad because there are none at home. Many do achieve success in Europe, but others choose to leave the game entirely.

“The lack of a professional league also limits the quality of the game at a lower level. We want to create something for young players to aspire to, and to work with schools, colleges and universities to develop a new generation of athletes, some of whom could even go on to play in the NFL.”

American Football in the UK: Key facts and figures

  • NFL has over 13 million fans in the UK, and is watched by more than 20 million unique television viewers per season.
  • Since 2007, the UK has hosted sold-out NFL International Series games at Wembley, Twickenham and more recently at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
  • Most major European countries have established professional leagues. Games in Germany’s GFL and Austria’s AFL leagues regularly draw crowds of over 10,000 fans.
  • The UK is one of the few European countries without a professional American Football league, leaving UK players with no option but to relocate if they wish to play professionally.
  • There are currently two major non-professional American Football leagues in the UK: the British Universities American Football League, made up of university teams, and the BAFA National League, which does not permit players to receive a wage.

To find out more about the UKFL, head to teamukfl.com

Euro 2020 VAR decisions 14.39% less controversial than English Premier League, research reveals

VAR and refereeing were unlikely highlights of this summer’s European Championships, with new research revealing the technology’s use to be 14.39% less controversial than the English Premier League.

Research onVAR at the Euros from bookmaker William Hill has combined reactionary metrics such as Tweet volume, text sentiment analysis, articles generated and associated levels of engagement, culminating in a bespoke, first-of-its-kind controversy rating being assigned to each of the 18 overturns.

And this summer’s pan-European football tournament, which comprised 24 teams, 51 matches and 11 host cities, returned an average controversy rating of 4.40, going some way toward resurrecting its ailing reputation at what many believed was a seminal moment for the technology.

In all, there were just 18 overturns by the 22-strong VAR team based in Nyon, who shaved 17.84% off a pre-tournament average of a change every 3.25 matches, since February 2019.

Five of those 18 overturns led to goals, six led to the awarding of penalties (four of those missed), three goals were allowed after offside and six disallowed, there was one disallowed for handball, and two red cards brandished, as a result of the technology’s unobtrusive patrol.

In all there were 276 incidents checked in 51 matches (5.4 a match) with 93.5% of on-field calls correct. Of 30 tight offside calls, nine required review, but the VAR team ensured a 100% accuracy on these.

“I believe that Europe has the best VARs in the world,” said chairman of UEFA’s Referees Committee, Roberto Rosetti. “We feel that VAR is an incredible tool for football, because it helps prevent clear and obvious refereeing mistakes.

“The 18 VAR corrections at the EURO were all 100% right, which shows the quality of the work that the VAR teams did. We can accept referees’ mistakes on the field – these can happen – but it’s very difficult to accept mistakes by VARs in front of a video screen.

“Consequently, we were pleased that the EURO VARs’ decisions were so reliable.”

Mario Gavranovic’s ruled-out winner (6.63) in a 1-1 group-stage draw with Wales claimed the unenviable accolade of ‘most controversial VAR call of the tournament’, the Swiss forward adjudged to have been inches offside (correctly). That was one of 21 tight offside calls in the first 36 games of the tournament, and one of six warranting review.

Karim Benzema’s strike (6.0) for France in their 1-0 group-stage win over Germany too, was one of those clinically accurate offside calls by the VAR team. On this occasion Kylian Mbappe strayed just offside as part of a free-flowing counter. 

Elsewhere, Matthijs de Ligt’s card upgrade to red, for deliberate handball, in the Netherlands’ last 16 clash with Czech Republic was rated at 5.92.

But with all three proven to be technically correct, we have seen fewer controversies, less outrage, no game-defining errors and most importantly no lengthy VAR interruptions over the past four weeks.

Europa League Final VAR Françoi Letexier (6.63) was the most controversial VAR official, 10.5% more controversial than Juan Martínez Munuera, Amsterdam ArenA (5.305) pipped Football Arena Munich and Olimpico in Rome to be the most controversial stadium, and the final five minutes of the 90 were comfortably most controversial too.

Napier Knights: Edinburgh American Football project tackles deprivation head-on

An Edinburgh-based American football project which is using sport to drive young people from the most deprived areas of the city into further education, is taking part in a national campaign, supported by Dame Katherine Grainger, highlighting how universities are helping local communities recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Edinburgh Napier Knights Youth team was set up by Edinburgh Napier University in 2017, with the goal of working with school-age children in Sighthill and Broomhouse – areas  with low levels of educational attainment – to promote health and wellbeing and provide a pathway for players to transition into higher education.

The youth teams are coached exclusively by students and graduates from Edinburgh Napier University who have undertaken coaching awards. By working across age groups, student coaches are able to educate their participants about the benefits of physical activity and the opportunities that are available to them through education.

The project, which has gone from strength to strength and seen seven members of the locally recruited youth team progress to university recently, is one of a number being featured in this week’s Made at Uni Energising Places campaign led by Universities UK and British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and supported by Dame Katherine.

Pete Laird (above), Head Coach of the Napier Knights and the university’s programme leader for Sport, Exercise and Health Science explained how the project had helped inspire local youngsters: “We decided we wanted to give something back to the local community.

“We know from studies that sport can engage young people, and we also know that young people who play sport are also more likely to do better academically. So we thought American football as our sport would be fantastic vehicle to try and help local kids.

“One of the great success stories coming out of our youth team was the progression of some of our players on to further and higher education. For some of our kids they were first generation students, having never thought about university before. Last year we had seven students who progressed from the youth team onto university, which for us that is an unbelievable success story.”

One of those success stories is Robbie Wales, an incoming first year studying Physical Activity and Health at Napier and the first member of his family to attend university.

He said: “The coaching staff are amazing; the team is amazing. I’ve gained a lot of skills from American football, mainly teamwork but also patience. Talking with coaches and past players, it’s definitely helped me make decisions on my life.”

The university are hopeful that even more young people from Edinburgh will get involved in the project as Covid restrictions ease.

Pete Laird added: “We were very worried coming out of lockdown, about whether or not the numbers would stay the same – but actually what we’ve seen is a big growth in people wanting to participate in activity.

“Now more than ever, sport is a vital resource for post-pandemic recovery.”

Dame Katherine Grainger said: “A lot of people know about the role universities play in developing some of our greatest Olympians and Paralympians but there is a real untold story about the work they do in their communities to improve the lives of people through sport and physical activity.

“The Edinburgh Napier Knights Youth team is a great example of that.” 

The Made at Uni Energising Places campaign is taking place between July 12-16th, and includes the BUCS annual awards event which celebrates the positive effect of student sport and students who participate in the wider sporting sector in the UK.

To find out more about the Made at Uni Energising Places campaign visit www.madeatuni.org or follow @MadeAtUni on Twitter

Edinburgh’s Maison Sport secures Future Fund investment

Game-changing ski instructor platform Maison Sport is among only a handful of travel businesses to secure finance from the UK Government’s Future Fund.

The trio behind the innovative tech start-up, which connects skiers and snowboarders with some of Europe’s best instructors, set out to apply for the funding support in May 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when the scheme launched.

With the travel sector hit hard by the impacts of Covid-19, Maison Sport felt the effects of closures at countless resorts across Europe and ski holidays cancelled for many.  The funding has given the tech start-up a much-needed financial boost, allowing the platform to continue to support independent instructors across Europe.

The Future Fund – developed by government and delivered by the British Business Bank – was established to support the UK’s innovative businesses affected by Covid-19. It was created for businesses unable to access other government business support programmes, due to being pre-revenue or pre-profit and typically reliant on equity investment. 

With a third-party investor willing to support the growth and ambitions of Maison Sport, the trio of founders were able to apply for the convertible loan which saw the government match their investor funds.

It is the latest success in Maison Sport’s fundraising drive to ensure the business survives and thrives through the pandemic.  

Over the past six months, the business has secured further funds from their existing advisory board members Kevin Byrne, Founder of Checkatrade.com and serial entrepreneur Lorenz Bogaert, as well as new investor, Gareth Williams, Co-Founder of Skyscanner. This will enable Maison Sport’s expansion into new markets globally and will help to grow their impressive international portfolio of instructors and customers.

Started by three former ski champions – brothers Nick and Olly Robinson and Aaron Tipping – Maison Sport has more than doubled the number of instructors in its marketplace throughout the pandemic. It is currently represented in more than 350 resorts, with over 1,200 qualified instructors across France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.

The aim now is to expand into four new markets this year – Scotland, Norway, Sweden and Japan – with plans to move into Asia and South America next year.

Founder and CEO Nick Robinson says: “We’ve worked so hard to remain positive and ambitious over this past year or so. The Future Fund initiative has really given us a boost to move on to the next level.

“As the only platform dedicated to independent instructors, we’re really optimistic about the way Maison Sport is evolving and we’re looking forward to spreading our vision globally.”

Future Fund, delivered by the British Business Bank, has allowed companies to apply for a convertible loan with private investors at least matching the government investment. 

For more information visit www.maisonsport.com

England match sees electricity use jump 1400MW

  • England v Denmark responsible for one of the biggest electricity pick-ups in modern times.
  • The Euro 2020 semi-final match saw a surge of 1400MW at half-time and 1300MW at full-time.
  • Pick-up for England-Germany round of 16 match was on a par with the 2011 Royal Wedding of William and Kate (1600MW)
  • England v West Germany 1990 (2,800MW) required just 200MW less than the 1999 Solar Eclipse.
  • OLBG reveals the top TV moments for electricity pick-up.

While football is on the brink of coming home (we’ll see! – Ed.), it is also producing record-breaking surges in electricity demand.

As the nation collectively sat down to watch England’s Euro 2020 semi-final match-up with Denmark on Wednesday night, demand for power skyrocketed by 1400MW at half-time and 1300MW at the end of 90 minutes, making it one of the biggest TV moments in terms of electricity pick-up in modern times.

Forecasts prior to the match suggested pick-up in the region of 1200MW, with millions of litres of water (via pumped storage) standing ready at Dinorwig, ready to be deployed in order for people to make their half-time cup of tea. And according to the grid’s control centre, ITV ad breaks only served to fuel movement at half-time.

Wednesday night’s pick-up was the same as the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia (also 1400MW), but on this occasion Gareth Southgate’s side went one step further. 

Research by OLBG shows the England-West Germany match-up at the 1990 World Cup still accounts for the biggest sports-related pick-up, falling just 200MW short of the 1999 Solar Eclipse.

RankTV MomentDatePick-up in MW
1Solar Eclipse 199911/08/19993,000
2England v West Germany – World Cup Semi-Final04/07/19902,800
3The Thorn Birds22/01/19842,600
4England v Brazil – World Cup quarter-final21/06/20022,570
5Nigeria v England – group match12/06/20022,340
6Eastenders: Lisa admits shooting Phil05/04/20012,290
7The Darling Buds Of May12/05/19912,200
8England v Australia – Rugby World Cup Final22/11/20032,110
9Argentina v England – FIFA World Cup round of 1630/06/19982,100
10Italy v Argentina – World Cup semi-final03/07/19902,000
11England v Portugal – World Cup quarter-final01/07/20061,960
12Sweden v England – World Cup group stage20/06/20061,830
13Juventus v Man Utd – UCL semi-final21/04/19991,820
14Wedding of Charles and Diana29/07/19811,800
15England v Ecuador – World Cup round of 1625/06/20061,700
16England v Germany – Euro 202029/06/20211,600
17Royal Wedding – William & Kate29/04/20111,600
18England v Croatia – World Cup semi-final11/07/20181,400
19England v Sweden – World Cup quarter-final07/07/20181,400
20Rugby World Cup Final – England v South Africa02/11/20191,300
21England v Colombia – World Cup round of 1603/07/20181,200
22England v Ukraine – Euro 2020 quarter-final03/07/2021960
23Clap for CarersVarious800
24England v West Germany – World Cup 196630/07/2021600

The Three Lions’ quarter-final thrashing of Ukraine registered a 960MW pick-up at half-time, which was good enough for 22nd in our rankings – the equivalent of 190 million light bulbs, or 530,000 kettles. Demand waned as the result became clear, with 450MW required at full-time with fans drifting off.

Prior to that, a 55-year wait for a win over Germany at a major tournament ended with a 2-0 win for England in their round of 16 tie, with the national control room confirming a 1GW pick-up at half-time and 1.6GW at full-time, surpassing the grid operator’s best guess of 900MW beforehand. That is the equivalent of 320 million light bulbs, or 888,000 simultaneously boiling kettles.

Demand for electricity during England’s last 16 tie against Germany at Euro 2020

Geoff Hurst’s infamous hat-trick goal and the famous words “They think it’s all over … It is now!” in England’s last major tournament win in 1966 – a 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley – accounted for a modest 600MW spike, while the regular Thursday night ‘Clap for Carers’ last year saw peak pick-up of 800MW.

Graph plotting demand during the infamous 1996 World Cup final

Britain’s electricity system operator – National Grid ESO – is tasked with matching the country’s supply and demand, second-by-second, making sure the lights – and televisions – stay on!

In fact record viewing figures for the four-hours-and-five-minutes broadcast on ITV were recorded, and those, along with the electricity pick-up are set to be surpassed for Sunday’s showpiece final when England take on Italy at Wembley.

Leith Rugby Club crowned winners of Royal Bank RugbyForce

Annual grassroots sustainability programme provides vital funds as the nation’s clubs look ahead to the new season

Leith Rugby Club has been awarded £1,000 and a chance to meet Scotland International stars, after gaining Hero Club status in this year’s Royal Bank RugbyForce initiative.

Beating strong competition from over 130 entries, the Edinburgh club will receive its prize ahead of Royal Bank RugbyForce Weekend* on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th August.

The weekend typically see’s rugby clubs across Scotland host a range a pre-season events, such as volunteer DIY and Community Fun Days, raising awareness of the positive impact that Scotland’s grassroots clubs have within their local areas.

Royal Bank RugbyForce is a nationwide rugby programme launched by Royal Bank of Scotland in association with Scottish Rugby. Since launch, more than half a million pounds has been distributed, directly benefiting three-quarters of amateur rugby clubs in Scotland.

With the pandemic causing unprecedented financial pressures, this year’s funding will help amateur clubs across Scotland to improve facilities, attract new members and to develop sustainable futures.

In partnership with Scottish Rugby, and subject to Covid-protocol at the time, Leith Rugby club will be visited by Scotland Internationals on RugbyForce Weekend*, including players from the women’s national XV, the men and women’s sevens teams or ex-legends of the Scottish game.

To help clubs through this period where they have to adapt to new guidelines, Royal Bank has also developed a toolkit for grassroots clubs, including information and advice on how they can remain financially sustainable, helping them to safeguard their clubs and the sport for the future. 

The bank has also provided ‘Return to Rugby’ kits including social distancing solutions, directional signage and sanitation essentials as well as new bibs, balls and cones.

New for this year, grassroots heroes aged 18-35 from Scotland’s local rugby club have been encouraged to apply to become ‘Young Ambassadors’ as part of a fresh focus on the future by broadening the diversity of rugby club boardrooms.

The programme is working together with Scottish Rugby to appoint 10 Young Ambassadors onto club committees, providing them with an additional £500 grant from Royal Bank to deliver a project of their choosing.

An announcement on the winning Young Ambassadors will take place on the 19th July. Winners will be selected from all five Scottish Rugby regions and will be picked based on how their project helps their club to broaden their appeal in the local community and create positive societal change, as well as the great work they are currently delivering through their commitment to their club.

Jamie Drummond, club captain at Leith Rugby Club said: “Royal Bank RugbyForce Weekend is marked out in our calendars every season and we’re absolutely delighted to be one of this year’s winners.

“It’s been a tough eighteen months for clubs like ours up and down the country and programmes like this have proven to be more vital than ever. We can’t wait for RugbyForce Weekend and hopefully we can put on a fantastic event for our local community, bringing our club together and welcoming as many new faces as we possibly can.”

Malcolm Buchanan, Chairman, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scotland Board, said: “Leith Rugby Club thoroughly deserve their Royal Bank RugbyForce award win having delivered some vital work in their local community throughout the pandemic. 

“After a year where the resilience and spirit of the grassroots game has been tested like never before, we are proud to maintain our continued commitment to the Scottish game and we are really looking forward to helping Leith and rugby clubs across the country to get back on their feet and return to the action on the pitch.”

The Leith club is celebrating it’s centenary this year:

Season 2021/22 will mark 100 years since, in 1921, the Leith Academicals Rugby Football Club was formed through a grant from the Leith Academy F.P. Association and the start of 100 consecutive years of rugby in Leith.

From the early days as one of the top junior clubs in Scotland, through our wonderful 70 years at Hawkhill, to today and our fantastic Academy Park home, we’ve lots to remember, cherish and celebrate.

To ensure we do that in a style befitting the birthday season, we’ve a range of events and activities planned as part of our centenary programme. We’re adding more events and details of those planned as they’re confirmed, and you can follow keep up to date on Facebook and at our website: https://bit.ly/2RDOazY

We hope you’ll participate in any and the many that interest you, as we bring the Leith Rugby community together to mark what will be a memorable season, as we honour our past, and continue to build our future.

#persevere

SPFL Trust Trophy draw

The draws for the first and second rounds of the SPFL Trust Trophy were made yesterday:

Tournament draw 

First round – North Section

Brechin City v Buckie Thistle
Dundee B v Peterhead
East Fife v St Johnstone B
Hibernian B v Elgin City
Brora Rangers v Aberdeen B
Fraserburgh v Cowdenbeath
Forfar Athletic v Formartine United
Ross County B v Stirling Albion
Stenhousemuir v Dundee United B 

First round – South Section

Dumbarton v Rangers B
Livingston B v Albion Rovers
Edinburgh City v Heart of Midlothian B
Celtic B v Annan Athletic
Queen’s Park v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
Broomhill FC v Clyde
Falkirk v East Kilbride
St Mirren B v Kelty Hearts
Stranraer v Motherwell B 

Second round – North section

Montrose v Ross County B or Stirling Albion
Brora Rangers or Aberdeen B v Arbroath
Cove Rangers v Stenhousemuir or Dundee United B
Fraserburgh or Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic
Raith Rovers v Forfar Athletic or Formartine United
Hibernian B or Elgin City v Dunfermline Athletic
Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Brechin City or Buckie Thistle
Dundee B or Peterhead v East Fife or St Johnstone B

Second round – South section

Airdrieonians v Queen’s Park or Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
Celtic B or Annan Athletic v Morton
Hamilton Academical v Edinburgh City or Heart of Midlothian B
Dumbarton or Rangers B v Ayr United
Kilmarnock v Falkirk or East Kilbride
Stranraer or Motherwell B v Partick Thistle
Queen of the South v Broomhill FC or Clyde
Livingston B or Albion Rovers v St Mirren B or Kelty Hearts

First-round ties are scheduled for the midweek of August 10/11

Second-round ties are scheduled for the weekend of September 4/5

For the first time in an SPFL competition, a bracketed draw from round three onwards will be published today (07 July), allowing clubs to plot their potential path to the final.