A Bridge of Allan resident with more than 25 years’ experience in sports administration has been appointed to the new Scottish Rugby Union position as Director of Domestic Rugby.

Keith Russell takes up the post in the New Year and the appointment is seen as a key priority among Scottish Rugby’s strategic initiatives.

Russell, whose three sons all play rugby, Harry at Falkirk, Finn for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, and Archie at Stirling County, joins Scottish Rugby from Glasgow Life where he has been Head of Sport for the last ten years and played a pivotal role with Scottish Rugby in establishing Scotstoun as the home of Glasgow Warriors.

Glasgow Life is the company established by Glasgow City Council to manage the city’s sport, cultural and community facilities and development activities.

One of his most recent projects was to develop and implement the Sport and Physical Activity Legacy Plan for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, welcomed Russell’s appointment.

He said: “We are very pleased to announce this important appointment. Development of our game is a strategic priority for us and Keith’s leadership in nurturing sustainable rugby activity and partnerships across the school and club game will be fundamental to the ongoing expansion of our sport.”