Scottish Rugby Modern Apprentice Named Apprentice Of The Year

A Scottish Rugby modern apprentice has been awarded the 2010 Apprentice of the Year – Non-traditional Sector award at the 2010 Scottish Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Awards.Thomas Davidson [pictured], an SVQ community coach with Cartha Queens rugby club and part of the Glasgow Life rugby development team,also scooped the overall Outstanding Achievement Award at the award ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow last week.The ceremony showcased those who have, through their involvement in a range of MA programmes, demonstrated initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Scottish economy.A Scottish Rugby modern apprentice has been awarded the 2010 Apprentice of the Year – Non-traditional Sector award at the 2010 Scottish Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Awards.Thomas Davidson [pictured], an SVQ community coach with Cartha Queens rugby club and part of the Glasgow Life rugby development team,also scooped the overall Outstanding Achievement Award at the award ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow last week.The ceremony showcased those who have, through their involvement in a range of MA programmes, demonstrated initiative, enterprise and outstanding commitment to the improvement of skills development for the Scottish economy.As part of his apprenticeship, Davidson delivered coaching sessions and rugby festivals for children in some of the most challenging areas of Glasgow and showed himself to be an inspiration – encouraging and motivating children to get involved in all aspects of the game, at times using unorthodox coaching techniques, to get everyone to take part and leave the session with a smile on their face.Davidson said: “The SVQ modern apprenticeship has given me experience I wouldn’t have gained anywhere else at my age. Every day has given me different challenges.”I have earned a great reputation, not only within rugby development throughout Glasgow, but also with Schools and Active Schools Coordinators in Glasgow city council. I have improved massively and gained a large amount of confidence.”Tom’s mentor and education manager at Scottish Rugby, Paul Kesterton, added: “Tom is simply an inspiration. Acquiring limited qualifications at school he has driven himself to produce an outstanding portfolio of evidence and has since successfully applied for a place at Cardonald College and is now studying for an HND in Sports Coaching.”This personal progress reflects his commitment to – and the success of – our MA programme. He’s matured immensely during the programme, has acquired skills beyond his years and has shown dedication, a high level of skill but not least a humility and an understanding of children beyond his years.”Skills Active Group CEO, Stephen Studd, said: “It is fantastic to see the sports sector being recognised at a national level in this way.  People generally understand apprenticeships in the construction industry but in fact there are Modern Apprenticeships available across many sectors, including sport and recreation. “Scottish Rugby has run a very successful MA programme for many years in partnership with local rugby clubs and local authorities. Its results demonstrate its success; with candidates progressing to a variety of jobs within sport in coaching and club development positions and also in other sectors. It’s also a platform for the candidates to go on to further or higher education.” Scottish RugbyModern Apprenticeship programme – To date more than 400 candidates have successfully completed at least one year on the programme. The programme has won national recognition in two successive years at the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards winning the Partnership category in 2004 and the Employee Achievement category in 2005CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO BE A SCOTTISH RUGBY MODERN APPRENTICE