Sport: Provost is new sports council chairman

May 19 2010 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

SOUTH Lanarkshire Provost Russell Clearie has been elected as the new chairman of Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council.

The Provost succeeds Frank Mulligan in the chair, having served the three year term laid down in the group’s constitution.

The sports council members then elected Russell, the current vice-chairman, as the new chair, at their AGM in Rutherglen Town Hall last Monday evening.

Frank said: “This was my third year as chair and as per the constitution, I have to step down.”

In his first speech as sports council chair, Russell said: “I think it’s appropriate on behalf of the sports council to thank Frank, our retiring chair, for the work he has done in raising the profile of the sports council.

“Hopefully, he will still be here to help and assist us with his experience.

“It’s been very helpful and interesting, with the amount of sports we have done, which is down to good partnership working.

“With your drive and leadership, Frank, going through the current period, you were able to help us with some many events, such as holding the cross country at the rugby club, and getting so many helpers and volunteers along.

“If we at the sports council can continue the good work and achievements of the past three years, then we will go from strength to strength.

“With the support of the Asda Foundation, hopefully we will see some of our local athletes at the Children’s Games next year.

“My sincere thanks on behalf of the sports council to you, Frank.”

Treasurer James Byrne, who was re-elected, added: “I would just like to say thanks to Frank for the work he did, especially with Clyde Gateway.

“We were really struggling with money before then, and I’d like to thank him for that. He brought a big smile to my face, as I was a worried man at that time.”

Asda community co-ordinator Elizabeth Arbuckle was elected as the sports council’s new vice-chair, with Lauren Mulligan retaining her place as secretary.

Giving his final report before stepping down, Frank said: “We have a very successful cross country event, and I would like to thank the people who came along, and the students who came along from the University of the West of Scotland, and our sports development officers.

“We also have to thank Clyde Gateway for their sponsorship, and all who made it a success.

“We’ve just finished our major awards evening, and through thte auspices of our liaison officer Scott Dunbar and treasurer James Byrne, had turned it from a major expense into a very financially effective evening.

“At our School of Sport in Inverclyde, we were joined by the Provost and had a great couple of days. We had 80 children attending for gymnastics, golf and rugby, and also we had the benefit of two coaches from Denmark, who came over to lend their assistance. The Danish gymnastic agency paid for them to come over and we paid for their accommodation.

“The people who took part really got the benefit of their training, and hopefully we will be able to repeat it on October 9 and 10 this year.

“I would also like to thank our supporters, including South Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Leisure, who give us our grant, towards the work that we do.

“Last year we brought onboard Clyde Gateway, who are sponsoring us for three years, with £7000 per annum, and they’ve indicated they’re happy with that and there could be the possibility they could continue beyond the three years.

“We’ve also had some great support from the Asda Foundation, who were kind enough to donate £10,000 to us, to help our your athletes who will be taking part in the 2011 Children’s Games which are coming to Lanarkshire.”

Sports council liaison officer Scott Dunbar gave his thanks to the various supporters in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, including South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Leisure, NHS Lanarkshire, integrated childrens’ services, South Lanarkshire Disability Sport, Asda, Regen:FX, Clyde Gateway, Cambuslang Summerfest, the Reformer, Active Schools, Kirkhill Golf Club, and Cambuslang Rugby Club.