Volunteer Duo Win December Rbs Award
The RBS Club Volunteer of the Month award for December has been given to a double act for the first time.Kelly Johnstone and Struan Robertson of Stirling County RFC won the accolade for their services to the club and organising a one off event, called The Black, Red and White Ball, to promote interaction throughout the club and between the various different teams.The accolade comes one month after County won the RBS Club of the Month for November. Kelly said: “The Red, Black and White Ball was all about club interaction and cohesion. In the past social events have been poorly attended.”Both Struan and myself as coaches and players have links with different parts of the club and felt not many club members interacted with any other sections.”The Ball was our chance to get everyone together for one evening to socialise and get to know each other as well as bringing business into the club. The catering was provided by a club member who is also a budding chef and the band was organised through club contacts so the event itself had an excellent club community spirit to it.”Though we managed to raise£2,820 the overall aim of the Ball wasn’t about money but to hold an event that would bring the club closer together and strengthen the links between the Men’s, Woman’s, Midi and Mini sections and for everyone to have a great night at Bridgehaugh.”The event itself was enjoyed by 180 people and the partying continued well into the night. Even now we are still receiving comments about how well the event was organised and what a great night it was, which is the best compliment of all.”As well as bringing the members together from the club, 25-year-old Kelly was appointed Women’s President in 2009. This came a year after she had joined forces with Scotland Women’s internationalist Sarah Dixon to form the women’s section at Stirling County. Originally hailing from Cupar in Fife the hooker has also captained the side and coached the younger age groups (under-18, under-15 and under-8 minis).Struan, 23, representings both the 1st XV and 2nd XV and is head coach of the under-15s team who are currently second in the Caledonia league and about to start their Caley Cup campaign. He will also lead a tour to France and Spain later in the year with the team. Last season he coached the Stirling County under-16 team who jointly won the under-16 National Cup with Ayr.Kelly and Struan have more events up their sleeve including a men’s and women’s sevens event and an end-of-season celebration. Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “Congratulations to Kelly and Struan for winning this award.”It’s fantastic to see two youngsters getting so heavily involved with the growth of Stirling County and the next generation of players and having the desire to bring the entire club closer together.”Kelly and Struan will receive a table at the annual Scottish Rugby Club Awards Dinner at Murrayfield where they will be in with a chance of winning the RBS Club Volunteer of the Season award. The dinner will take place on Friday 25 May 2012. Places are now available to book at the reduced price of£35 per head, click here for more details or call 0131 346 5250.