Rutherglen men honoured for their services to sport

Nov 18 2009 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

THREE local men have been honoured for their services to sport.

Colin McDonald of King’s Park, who is the manager of Kings Park Rangers, Felix Lochray of Castlemilk Badminton Club, and Bob Stephen from Burnside were honoured as the Sports Council for Glasgow celebrated its 30th anniversary

The normal practice when it's your birthday is to receive a present. When the Sports Council for Glasgow celebrated the 30th anniversary of its foundation, they instead presented 59 of their members with a special award at ceremony in Glasgow recently.

The award, in the form of a plaque and certificate, was presented to individuals within member clubs who had been involved in sports volunteering since the sports council was founded in 1979 - and in many cases much longer!

Of the 63 people nominated for the Award, 59 attended a special ceremony in the beautiful surroundings of St Andrew’s in the Square, in Glasgow city centre.

The main speakers and co-presenters of the awards were Louise Martin, chair of Sportscotland and Bailie Cathy McMaster representing the Lord Provost.

The evening, which concluded with a buffet dinner, was compered by Doug Gillon of the Herald.

A total of 21 sports and over 30 clubs were represented and a number of special guests attended, including Councillor Archie Graham, the City Council spokesperson for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Two Founder members of the Sports Council also received special awards. Burnside’s Bob Stephen and Dick Rafferty from athletics and boxing were elected to the very first Executive Committee of the Sports Council in May 1979.

Bob was a founder member of the Sports Council for Glasgow in 1979.

Bob was a schoolboy champion at long and triple jumping. He has been involved in athletic clubs in Glasgow all his life including Victoria Park City of Glasgow AC.

Bob has also been involved in the Great Scottish run since its original inception as the Glasgow Marathon in 1982.

Felix Lochray coached badminton in various schools in Castlemilk since 1976, including Grange, Castlemilk High and Castleton Primary. Coached Castlemilk Badminton Club from 2002 to date.

He won the Badminton Coach of the Year Award in 1989 and the Glasgow Community Coach of the Year 1991. Has also coached football in Shawland Ascademy (1959-1968) and Grange Secondary (1968-1979)

Colin McDonald was a founder member of King’s Park Rangers FC in 1961. The club joined the city and suburban league in 1963 with Colin as club secretary, a role he has played ever since.

Colin was elected to the executive committee of the Scottish Amateur Football League in 1969 and was president of the SAFL from 1995 -2000 when he became a Life Member.

The club president stated in his nomination that: "Colin McDonald IS Kings Park Rangers.”

Colin Atkinson, chair of the Sports Council for Glasgow said. "The evening was a great success and was enjoyed by all. Too often the tremendous work done by volunteers goes largely unrewarded and I hope that by organising these awards and presentation ceremony the Sports Council for Glasgow has recognised the importance of volunteers to sport in the city and helped to express to the recipients how valuable their commitment has been over the last 30 years and more"

Further information about the Sports Council for Glasgow can be obtained from john.lynch@csglasgow.org or www.sportscouncilforglasgow.co.uk