Carnoustie’s Kathleen named BT Volunteer of the Month

A Carnoustie Rugby stalwart has been awarded BT Volunteer of the Month for April for her commitment to fundraising and dedicated work across a number of roles within the club.

Kathleen Edmond, 66, first joined the club 30 years ago when her son began playing in the mini section and she quickly volunteered her services in providing post-match teas and coffees for all home matches.

Before the end of her first season with the club she became the secretary for the mini section and has been heavily involved at Carnoustie ever since.

Kathleen took on the responsibility of being the mini/midi section president for two years and even organised two tours to France and Canada respectively for the youth group.

Since then, Kathleen has epitomised the ethos of volunteering and has taken on a number of roles for the club – including preparing post-match dinners, helping organise transportation for away fixtures, being a first-aider for matchesand publishing match reports on the website.

On receiving her award, Kathleen said: “It is a great honour to be awarded BT Volunteer of the Month.

“There is a great family atmosphere at the rugby club. Carnoustie is traditionally a golf and football town but there is a real rugby community here.

I was first involved when my son was seven years old and they welcomed me and my children to the club and we felt like part of the family.

“Just seeing the enjoyment on the kids’ faces and seeing them grow up is really special. My son now has a child who he coaches him in the minis and it’s great.”

When her son progressed into the senior team, Kathleen took up the role of President on two occasions and is recognised across the club as having had a positive impact.

She played a crucial part in organisingCarnoustie’s recent 40thAnniversary Ball, which celebrated the club’s achievements on and off the pitch.

Kathleen added: “I worried for months before the fundraising ball but it was absolutely fantastic on the night. I received a lot of emails of support afterwards as well.

Kathleen will retire from the club at the end of the year but insists that she will remain a part of the community in the future.

She said: “I’ve got loads of memories with the club and I’ve made great friends.

“I’ve made a lot of friendships for life through the club.”

All winners of BT Club Volunteer of the Month are invited to BT Murrayfield, with nine friends, to attend the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner.

At the Awards Dinner, each of the winners will be in with a chance to win the BT Club Volunteer of the Season award, which will be announced on the night.

The winner of the annual award will receive a £1,000 grant for their club.