Funding the Future: RYDC’s Plan to Transform Rangers Academy

October 21, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Rangers Training Centre, Glasgow | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Barry Dixon, LWOF Site Manager

Rangers academy has tried various youth development pathways, with the latest being to send those not quite ready for first-team football out on loan.

Paul Nsio earned rave reviews at Raith Rovers last season, picking up a raft of player of the season awards, and has followed this up by impressing at St Mirren this year – the problem now is that he is out of contract at the end of the season.

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The frustration for fans recently has been seeing talented prospects like Leon King and Alex Lowry taste first-team football only to fail to kick on to the next level and really establish themselves, but is there a way that fans could help the academy to produce the next Nathan Patterson, who left Rangers in a record transfer deal?

Interview With RYDC’s Colin Stewart on Rangers Academy Investment

The Rangers Youth Development Company was set up as a way for money to be raised by fans specifically to invest in the Rangers academy based at Auchenhowie, and Director Colin Stewart was on hand to explain to Last Word on Football how, by signing up to the Rangers Lotto, fans could see millions added to the club’s coffers.

Last Word On Football: How will the Rangers first-team benefit from fans signing up to the Rangers Lotto and other RYDC initiatives?

Daniel Neil of Rangers (middle) celebrates scoring his teams first goal against Celtic. Credit: IMAGO / Focus Images

Colin Stewart: RYDC profits are ring-fenced for our Youth Programme. We have raised over £12.5m for our academy, and this amount is mostly from Rangers Lotto players. Other revenue streams include the Union Jackpot half-time draw and Stadium Bricks.

Our cash cow, however, is Rangers Lotto, and the more fans who play, the greater profits we can transfer to our academy. Rangers Lotto has allowed our academy to grow its operation to the professional standard that it currently is. We have contributed to the development of many Rangers academy players in recent years, including Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson, and many more.

LWOF: How much money per season would the lottery generate if 50k supporters signed up?

CS: If we had 50k fans signing up, then simple maths would confirm that we would receive £2,600,000 in revenue. From that, we would deduct prizes and costs, including Gambling Commission and Lotteries Council fees.

This level of weekly players would revolutionise Rangers academy as Rangers Lotto would be increasing our donation fivefold or more. I cannot comment on how this level of funding would be allocated by our Academy staff, but it would certainly give them a tremendous platform to expand our current operations. We would be giving them a nice headache.

LWOF: How much does the Rangers Lotto cost per week, and what can be won?

CS: Rangers Lotto is £1 per entry per week, and you can take as many weekly entries as you feel comfortable with.

There are currently four weekly prizes of £250 with a bumper draw at the end of the month called The Big Blue Jackpot. This prize can increase to a maximum of £25,000. Already, two fans have won over £16,000, with a number of others winning over £13,000.

These amounts will increase in line with an increased number of players, i.e., the more fans who play, the higher the prizes will go, to a maximum of £25,000. We currently give away roughly £300,000 in yearly prizes.

The Last Word

Rangers club crest. Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto

The RYDC makes a huge contribution to the academy on an annual basis, with fans being able to have a direct impact on the development of potential future stars.

Whether it is through improved coach/staff development, the facilities for youth players, or identifying the best young players across the country and beyond, every penny that is raised gives Rangers a helping hand towards their ultimate goal – a silverware-winning first team.