Rugby legend Tony pitches in for Binos boys
Scotland hero coaching youngsters
A Scottish rugby legend has taken on the challenge of developing Stirling Albion’s future football stars.
Scotland winger Tony Stanger has joined the coaching staff of Stirling Albion Junior Academy’s 2005 boys’ side.
The Scottish rugby cult hero is famed for scoring the winning try in the 1990 Five Nations match against England to seal a glorious Grand Slam for Scotland.
Scotland’s joint record try–scorer has become one of three coaches for Albion’s junior academy with whom his own son Jack plays.
He has been coaching the 20– strong squad since the summer, alongside coaches Gus Robbie and Stevie Campbell.
Tony said: “They were looking for mums and dads to put their hands up and step up to help out so I decided that I would volunteer myself for it.
“I didn’t get any funny looks or anything, being a rugby guy, people appreciated it to be honest and I think it’s great for the lads.
“Coaching is coaching, no matter what sport it is. I was a full time coach in rugby for a long time so I found it pretty straightforward.
“Jack has been here a few years now and whilst rugby is my sport, I love football. My older son is with Hamilton Accies and I’m really enjoying being in football coaching.
“For me, our job is about making every player better no matter who they are. That’s really important. And in terms of the players, it’s their responsibility to ensure they get as much as they can from training, and I’m keen to help with that.”
Tony’s eldest son, George (18), previously played for Dunblane Soccer Club and Stirling Albion before joining Accies .
Originally from Hawick, Tony admits that he didn’t play much football himself as a youngster, with rugby the chosen sport for most in the Borders town.
He starred for Scotland at the World Cup in 1991 and 1995. In 1997 he was called up to British Lions tour of South Africa following an injury to Welshman Ieuan Evans.
Tony and his family moved to Dunblane a decade ago following a spell coaching at London Irish.
He was a talent manager with the Scottish Institute of Sport from 2008 until 2015.
The former winger now runs his own business, Stanger Pro, which helps organisations develop the skills needed to understand potential and make effective coaching an everyday habit, working alongside both athletes and people involved in business.
Of his latest venture he added: “It’s a big responsibility coaching boys of this age.
“They’re 13-year-old boys and you want to give everybody an opportunity and you don’t want anyone being lost to the game because they aren’t getting opportunities or game time. You lose too many kids when they don’t get to play week in and week out.”
Nicola Howieson, chairperson of Stirling Albion Junior Academy, said: “It’s really exciting to have someone as experienced and of the sporting calibre as Tony at the academy.
“He was a leader on the rugby field, a true great, and will be a terrific role model for our young players.
“Tony joining our ranks shows the ambition of our coaching at the Junior Academy and we are certain his knowledge and positivity will rub off on the squad.”
I didn’t get any funny looks or anything, being a rugby guy. Coaching is coaching, no matter what sport it is