Carnoustie’s Calum named BT Volunteer of the Month

Calum Bruce from Carnoustie has been awarded BT Volunteer of the Month for January for his tireless work across the mini section of the club. During the working week, Calum is the first to check the kit bags and first aid boxes after marking the pitches for training and matches.He will always have a spare gum shield or a pair of boots and can often be found tidying the kit room on the look out for any missing balls.Calum also takes a leading role when making sure that coaches across the club are RugbyRight, the minimum standard online course for all coaches and match officials in Scotland which holds player welfare at its centre.The 46-year-old has worked with primary schools in the area, helping to organise training and inter-school tournaments, which have led to an increase in mini rugby participation at the club.Calum said: “I’m ecstatic to be named volunteer of the month and considering that at first I thought it was an elaborate wind-up devised over drinks in the clubhouse, to find out that it’s true, is very special.The honour of being presented with an award for simply doing everything you possibly can for your club never entered my mind. I’m a great believer in the old mantra, ‘it’s not what your club can do for you, it’s what you can do for your club.'””I believe that is what is important, people like myself, pulling together for the benefit of our club.”Calum, a former youth and senior player at Carnoustie, also takes pride in watching his son, Brandon, play in the midi section of the club since joining in Primary 1.Carnoustie Rugby will celebrate its 40th birthday this year and are set to host their very first beach rugby tournament on Saturday 17 June in partnership with The Bill McLaren foundation, where former Australian international David Campese will open proceedings before providing training sessions to the club’s mini/midi sections.Calum has been at the forefront of planning for the tournament but he also acknowledges the involvement of many others at the club.He said: “Thankfully, my wife and son Brandon are both equally committed to the success and survival of the club, which makes this award even more important as it’s not only myself that deserves credit for this award but all the other volunteers that work so hard.”What can I say, I love Carnoustie Rugby Club and this sport with a fierce passion that can sometimes take over my life. I can tell you one thing for sure, this trophy will be gracing pride of place on my mantelpiece for many happy years to come.”Winners of the BT Club Volunteer of the Month award are invited to BT Murrayfield to attend the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner. They will also receive up to£500 towards travel and accommodation to enable them to attend and can invite up to nine friends. To nominate your club, volunteer or try of the month for February, please click here.