Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive Mark Dodson, Glasgow and West Academy Manager Jamie Dempsey and Academy Director Stevie Gemell joined Matt Smith, and Hawks players Scott Cummings, Andrew Davidson along with Fergus Scott as Broadwood Stadium is announced as the new BT Sport Scottish Rugby West Academy

Work is now underway to create a new purpose built facility, on-site, with state-of-the-art fitness and medical equipment, all part of Scottish Rugby's major policy initiative to develop a regional Academy system that provides the best possible support to players, both male and female, who have been identified as having genuine potential for the future.

Glasgow and the West Academy Manager, Jamie Dempsey and his team will also have access to the 3G pitch, which recently hosted Scotland Women's home international fixtures in the 2015 RBS 6 Nations and the 2014 Cup Finals Day.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: "Scottish Rugby and NL Leisure have developed a positive partnership in recent years and we are very pleased Broadwood Stadium can continue that good work as the home for the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, Glasgow and the West.

"We are committed to building a system that enables us to identify and support young players, both boys and girls, as they develop their full sporting and personal potential. Our objective is to produce great rugby players and great people through our regional Academies and this is an exciting first step on that pathway in the west of Scotland.”

Dempsey said: "Broadwood Stadium will give this academy the structure it needs to be a professional and high performance facility.

"To be housed in an 8000 all-seated stadium with world-class training facilities, will be an excellent opportunity for everyone involved.

"We're here to help rugby in the west, and with around 70 clubs in the region I'm confident there are young players who we will welcome into the Academy in due course to help them maximise their potential.”

In October 2014 the venue for the Caledonia Academy was announced in Aberdeen as the Hillhead Sports Campus and Aberdeen Sports Village.

Construction of the new facility at Broadwood is due to be completed by late summer 2015.

Speaking at Broadwood, NL Leisure Chief Executive, Blane Dodds said:

"This is great news for North Lanarkshire and for rugby in the west of Scotland; our relationship with Scottish Rugby is really important to us and it's already been our privilege over the past several years to welcome Scotland's sevens, age-group, ladies and senior players to many of our venues for training and competitive matches.

"Scottish Rugby's decision to base its BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, Glasgow and the West, here at Broadwood is a fantastic endorsement of NL Leisure, Broadwood and the rugby potential of this area.

"I'm proud the next generation of Scotland's international rugby players will call Broadwood their home and I'm sure our work with Scottish Rugby will inspire people of all ages to take up rugby and other sports.”

NL Leisure Chairman, Jim Logue, said: "Bringing the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy, Glasgow and the West, to Broadwood is a fantastic boost for rugby in the area and I'd like to say that it does huge credit to North Lanarkshire's many clubs and players.

"We share many values with our friends in Scottish Rugby; most particularly our mutual determination to promote the benefits of taking part in sport.

"I'll be excited to see Scottish rugby talent developing just down the road from me but to be honest I'm more excited about the work we'll be doing in partnership with Scottish Rugby to bring rugby to young people and the wider community – that's what North Lanarkshire Leisure is all about.”