In the realm of Scottish Rugby, the focus extends beyond the athletes on the field to include the numerous volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. The recently revealed 2024 Community Recognition Award recipients from the East region stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of these unsung heroes.
The Community Recognition Awards, an annual domestic game awards programme by Scottish Rugby, aims to shine a spotlight on the efforts of clubs and schools in both on and off-field aspects of the game. This year’s winners were distinguished in six categories, including Volunteer of the Season in Youth rugby, Volunteer of the Season in Schools rugby, Volunteer of the Season in Adult rugby, Young Person’s Award, Community Club of the Season, and the Community Referee of the Season.
David Drummond, the Scottish Rugby Regional Director for the East region, expressed his gratitude for the volunteers, acknowledging that the success of the region is undoubtedly due to their steadfast commitment. In addition, the president of Scottish Rugby, Colin Rigby, underscored the significance of acknowledging the valuable contribution of volunteers, emphasizing the substantial impact they have on making the sport enjoyable and special for all involved.
The Volunteer of the Season in Youth Rugby, sponsored by inspiresport, was bestowed upon Steven Halliday of Dalkeith RFC. Steven’s remarkable efforts in expanding participation within the club’s youth teams have not gone unnoticed, with over 300 youngsters now actively involved in the minis and youth departments.
Another standout, Jason Conlin from Stewart’s Melville RFC, was the recipient of the Volunteer of the Season in Adult Rugby award. Jason’s introduction of a Community Day Programme has been pivotal in reaching out to the wider community and supporting young individuals with disabilities to partake in inclusive, multi-sport events.
Struan Dickson from The Royal High School was lauded as the Volunteer of the Season in Schools Rugby for his exceptional dedication to the S2 boys team, which resulted in reaching the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup and aiding 13 boys in progressing onto the Scottish Pathways Program.
Ethan Wilson of Gala Rugby received the Young Person’s Award for his incredible commitment to coaching, promoting the expansion of rugby, and organizing significant events to bolster the growth of the sport.
Dalkeith RFC, established in 1898, was named the Community Club of the Season, with a strong emphasis on making rugby accessible to individuals of all ages, including those from deprived areas, and successfully launching a school of rugby alongside Newbattle High School.
Lastly, Andrew Edgar of Border Rugby Referees was celebrated as the Community Referee of the Season for his remarkable 30-year commitment to officiating matches across the area, displaying exceptional professionalism and dedication.
The impact of these individuals and clubs on their communities and the sport of rugby is truly inspiring, and their recognition is richly deserved. Let us continue to commemorate and support the dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in shaping the future of Scottish Rugby.