Kemp’s commitment to coaching wins Volunteer award

Gareth Kemp, a cornerstone in Ellon’s growing youth section, has been voted as Feburary’s BT Volunteer of the Month.The Scottish Government employee, 39, was extremely grateful to be recognised for his efforts by the members of his club.He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have been nominated for the award, never mind to have won it.”I give roughly 40 hours to the club each week, putting time in every day, so I’m thankful that my work is appreciated and recognised by others.”Kemp currently occupies two roles at the north-east club – Vice President and Head of Junior Rugby – and sits on both the executive and junior committee, as well as picking up other jobs to help facilitate the growth of the club.He explained: “Within my role I work with the teams from second year at high school down to those starting out in primary school.”I also help with; the Golden Oldies teams, coaching the primary sevens, the club’s girls’ rugby, coach education and our Positive Coaching Scotland (PCS) programme – so a bit of everything really.”The club has a very large catchment area, with five secondary schools under its aegis, and Kemp leads on exposing the potential in the area.As a coach educator, he firmly believes that good coaching breeds a successful youth section.”We’re always looking to bring new coaches on board and develop them,” he continued.”People come to the club as we have good youth systems and excellent coaches in place  – all who are UKCC Level 1 or 2 qualified.”This, in conjunction with our developing PCS programme, makes the club an attractive place for those looking to get involved with the sport.”With close to 300 youngsters playing from primary school to senior level, the youth section is now looking to develop a strong female division, building on the success of their under-18 team. Kemp coached Scotland Women lock Emma Wassell in her junior days, and aided her flourishing career in its infancy.”I started off as the girls’ coach at the club yet, due to other commitments with Ellon, had to bring in some other coaches to take my place.”Emma [Wassell] started her career at Ellon, and proves a big inspiration to our current crop of players.”Currently, we have a full under-18 girls team and are building an under-15 section, which we hope can be the foundation of bigger things.”In winning the BT Volunteer of the Month award for February, Gareth will receive a table-of-ten at the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner at BT Murrayfield on Friday 29 May 2015 and a commemorative trophy.Nominations for the BT Volunteer of the Month award for March are now being taken at www.scottishrugby.org/clubnominations.