A tribute to the late Hugh MacArthur

HUGH MacArthur was a founder member of Mid Argyll Athletic Club in August 1984 and his contribution in the early years was immense, particularly as a coach and also as a very active fundraiser and administrator.

He attended many coaching courses in the early years of the club and gained the senior coach qualification in middle distance events.

Hugh’s knowledge and coaching skills helped several young athletes to win awards at district and national competitions.

Hugh was also active as an athlete, covering many miles on the roads, canal banks and forestry tracks in Mid Argyll and completed two marathons and many half marathons and shorter road races, reaching a very respectable standard. Before Hugh entered the athletics world as a coach and athlete, he represented Scotland in international competition in clay pigeon shooting.

When Hugh finally retired from coaching, he concentrated his efforts in trying to establish a sports complex locally, which included a 400m all-weather track.

As chairman of the local sports trust, he was the driving force behind the project, but unfortu- nately this did not materialise as the new joint campus school was built on the preferred, and only, site in 2007. The local sports trust committee continued to meet but eventually the meetings were very infrequent, until efforts were made in 2013 to reform this voluntary group.

Hugh agreed to be chairman, once again, of the reformed Mid Argyll Sports Council and thanks to Hugh and the new committee it was agreed to grant Mid Argyll Athletic Club a generous financial contribution towards the club’s project to create an all-weather jumps facility on spare ground at the joint campus. Without Hugh’s persuasive influence this would not have happened. This facility, which is now programmed to be completed in the early summer of 2016, will be of great benefit to the athletic club and also the two schools at the joint campus.

Finally the coaches, committee and junior members of Mid Argyll Athletic Club wish to thank Hugh’s wife Katrina, his sons James and David and daughter Karen for their generous donation. More than £1,100 was collected at Hugh’s funeral service and thanks also go to the local community for their generosity.