Great sports! Importance of volunteers highlighted at ClubSport Roxburgh's annual awards
Last updated 2nd Nov 2024
A volunteer who has dedicated more than half a century of his life to supporting the running of his local rugby team was recognised at an awards ceremony in the Scottish Borders last night (Friday).
During Allan Hill's time at Jed Thistle, the youth club has helped produce nine full Scotland caps, and three captains of the British Lions.
The secretary of the Lothian Park side revealed he has held various roles in his 52 years at the club.
"Cleaning up dog dirt from the pitch, I would think that's about the worst one," he admitted.
But he told Greatest Hits Radio: "One of the great memories that I have is I was introduced to Princess Anne. Her son was down playing for his school against Jed Thistle on a tour, and she even fished a rugby ball out the water for us."
Allan was presented with a Service to Local Sport Award at ClubSport Roxburgh's annual awards at Hawick Rugby Club.
The ceremony heard volunteers are the life-blood of clubs, and Alan - who speaks fondly of tours to Guernsey and London - hopes his experience will encourage more to come forward.
"I'm intending to retire after this year," he said. "I've done enough, I feel."
But he added: "It's really difficult just now to get volunteers to come forward to help."
Asked why he's stayed involved for so long, Allan - who was Jedburgh Callant in 1976 - replied: "It's just the camaraderie; the club's like a second family to me. I've seen the players coming through, followed by their sons, their grandsons and now their great-grandsons."
The main award of the night was won by Kelso cyclist Oscar Onley, who was crowned ClubSport Roxburgh's Sports Personality of the Year, in recognition of his achievements over the past 12 months.
Despite twice breaking his collarbone, the 22-year-old became the first Borderer since 1961 to be selected to race in the Tour de France, and he also finished second in the Tour of Britain - although he was unable to pick up the prize himself as he is away competing.
Hawick boxer Rosie Swailes was named ClubSport Roxburgh's Junior Sports Personality of the Year for the second time in three years.
It comes just months after the 15-year-old won her second British title.
She revealed she took up the sport following a visit to her local boxing club.
Rosie said: "My brother went, so I just went along with him to see what it was like, and I enjoyed it.
"A few people thought if I was going to spar with the boys they would have to take it easy, but it was the other way around."
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Other winners on the night included: Team of the Year – Hawick Hawks Floorball Club; Disability Award – Gary Murdie (coach of the Disability Clan Rugby Team); Club of the Year – Kelso Orchard Tennis Club; Coach of the Year – Steven Ellins (Hawick Youth Football Club); and Junior Coach of the Year – Izzi Jones (Hockey at Jedburgh).
There were special awards on the night too for the county's Olympians - rugby player Lisa Thomson and swimmer Lucy Hope.
"It feels really good to come back after all this time and to still have all this support," Lucy said. "I've lived away for maybe ten years now, going to uni and everything outside the Borders. But the support from back home is always there.
"And without the support of ClubSport Roxburgh and the Athlete Support Programme - and the BEST programme when I was younger - I might not be here in the same position that I am now; so I'm really grateful for all the support."
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