Youth coach wins community award
Rugby mentor honoured for commitment to developing players
A YOUTH coach at Helensburgh Rugby Club has been honoured for his commitment to developing the next generation of players.
Ian Smith, the club’s youth convener, was named winner of the ‘youth rugby volunteer of the season’ prize at Scottish Rugby’s community recognition awards last week.
Awards were announced for six categories in the Glasgow North area at Cottiers in Glasgow, with three ‘volunteer of the season’ winners in youth, school and adult rugby as well as a young person’s award, community club of the season, and community referee of the season.
A Scottish Rugby spokesperson said: Approaching ten years in coaching at Helensburgh Rugby Club, Ian’s commitment to the club has seen him help drive it forward. For the last three years, Ian has stepped into the role of youth convener alongside his coaching duties.
“Ian owns his own company, which he runs day-to-day. This takes him across the UK, but despite this, he barely misses a training session or match.
“Despite his own son suffering a severe spinal injury, Ian continued to coach and provide unwavering support to his own 22 players. His son made a full recovery and was coached by Ian back into the back row and as a lineout jumper.
“The desire Ian has showed to raise playing and coaching standards has not gone unnoticed by those at Helensburgh, as he has worked to introduce coaching and refereeing courses.
“Ian will step down from his roles at the end of the season but will help to appoint a co-ordinator that shares his desire for improvement.”
One parent said of Ian’s commitment to his role: “I have no idea where he finds the time to do all the coaching preparation, training preparation and match preparation whilst being on the main club committee.
“I have roughly worked out Ian gives 25-30 hours volunteer time per week.”
A Helensburgh RFC spokesperson added: “Ian’s dedication and commitment to youth rugby shine as a beacon of inspiration to the Helensburgh community.
“This is a well-deserved accolade for Ian’s tireless efforts and decades of passion for the sport.”
Peter Burgon, Scottish Rugby’s
Glasgow North regional director, said: “The beauty of the Community Recognition Awards is the opportunity that it affords us to recognise and celebrate the contribution of so many people who give their time and energy to the game, without seeking thanks or praise.
“That’s why it’s so important for us to recognise nominees as well as winners, for someone to have contributed to their environment to the point that someone else wants to nominate them for an award is a wonderful thing.
“There are so many people doing amazing things across rugby environments in Glasgow North. The chance to celebrate even just a small proportion of them is an absolute highlight of the season.”
On the pitch, the fruits of Ian’s labours - and those of his youth coaching colleagues at the club - will be on show at Ardencaple again this Sunday, March 24, as the Lomond and Helensburgh under-16s line up at home to Oban in the final of their West District Plate age group tournament.
The L&H youngsters sealed their place in the final with a superb 64-0 win on the Duchess Woods pitch at Ardencaple on Sunday afternoon.
The under-16 squad have already beaten Oban away from home in this year’s tournament, with their run to the final also including wins against Dalziel and Marr.
Kick-off this Sunday afternoon is at 2pm and all supporters are welcome to come along and cheer on the team.
On the adult front, both Lomond and Helensburgh senior XVs are due to be back in action this Saturday as club rugby returns following the final round of the Six Nations.
L&H’s first XV are at home to Bishopton in West Division Two, while the L&H second XV are aiming to complete their West Reserve Development League fixtures undefeated when they travel to Clydebank to face the Glasgow Raptors.
Both of Saturday’s senior XV fixtures get under way at 2pm.