Scottish Rugby honours community coach graduates
Published on:
14
September 2006
Hillfoots Rugby Club's Stuart McGee has been honoured by Scottish Rugby after graduating as one of the first 16 community coach apprentices in the country.
The apprentices, sponsored by rugby clubs and working in tandem with the SRU's community rugby department, have graduated with a Scottish Vocational Qualification and equally importantly have delivered the opportunity to thousands of Scottish schoolchildren on a weekly basis to experience rugby and become physically active, regardless of where they live.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden presented the graduation scrolls at the ceremony at Rosehall High School in Coatbridge on Monday 11th September.
Stuart McGee (centre) collects his certificate from Frank Hadden (right) watched by John Manson, Development Manager for Scottish Rugby in Central.
Hadden said: "As national coach I am currently going around Scotland speaking with club coaches about how we approach the game in this country. How heartening it is that through Scottish Rugby's partnership with Scottish Enterprise, community coaches are spreading the rugby gospel to thousands of youngsters some of whom will catch the rugby bug.
"We are a small nation and it is Scottish Rugby's desire to increase the numbers playing the game. That will not only be of benefit to all levels of the game, including ultimately the national team, but as this initiative grows and prospers it can also have a consequential positive effect for the overall health of the nation."
Stuart added: "It took me two years to qualify, but it was good fun and a great experience, the added bonus being to receive the award from Frank Hadden."
Stuart now intends to study Sports Studies and Tourism Management at Stirling University.