Obituary: Allan Quinn

Scottish Rugby is saddened to learn of the death last week of a man who gave a lifetime of service as a coach in the club and representative game in Scotland, Allan Quinn. He was 92.

The high point of a coaching career that spanned several decades was the Students World Cup in South Africa in 1996.

As interim manager, Quinn, working alongside coaches the late Graham Hogg and Ian Barnes, steered Scotland to a 26-25 victory over New Zealand and saw them reach the final only to miss out to the hosts.

Four years earlier, Quinn coached the Scottish Students at the World Cup in Italy and such was the camaraderie and style of game that he fostered, Gregor Townsend was among the Scotland players who returned from the national team tour of Australia, to join the Students in Italy.

A former head of department at Dunfermline College of Physical Education at Cramond in Edinburgh, having previously served as a PE teacher at Jordanhill College in Glasgow, Quinn was involved in coaching at several Scottish clubs, including Edinburgh University, Boroughmuir, West of Scotland, Perthshire, Corstorphine and Heriot’s.

He also coached at the Malahide club near Dublin, was a liaison officer when matches were held in Scotland at the 1991 Rugby World Cup and fulfilled a similar role at the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens at Murrayfield in 1993.

A keen skier, Quinn was also a past chair of the Scottish National Ski Council, writing training programmes for competitors in the Winter Olympics.

Blessed with a sharp mind and easy-going persona, Quinn made a considerable impact on all he coached.

Scottish Rugby colleague Stuart MacLennan recalled: “I remember playing for George Heriot’s School 2^nd XV in what would’ve been 1999, for Mr. Quinn’s final match as a coach, against Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow.

“His impact as a person led to us clubbing together (responsibly, through an adult!) to gift him a bottle of whisky as a thank you for his coaching. Most of us only had the pleasure of his tutelage for a season, so the fact we wanted to show our appreciation spoke volumes about a true gent of the game.”

Scottish Rugby extends its sincere condolences to Allan Quinn’s family and friends. The funeral service will take place at Warriston Crematorium in Edinburgh on Friday 22 March at 2.30pm, adjourning to the Murrayfield Hotel thereafter.