TWO Helensburgh and Lomond sports coaches have been honoured for their work in the annual Live Argyll Volunteer Sports Awards.

Stewart Maule and Anne McGregor were named as two of the six winners from across Argyll and Bute in the awards, run annually in partnership with SportScotland.

Anne won the ‘volunteer coach of the year’ prize for her work with Loch Lomond Hockey Club, while Stewart, who coaches Rhu Amateurs and works at St Joseph's Primary in Helensburgh, received the ‘volunteer young person’s coach of the year’ accolade.

The nomination for Anne, submitted by her clubmates; said: “Anne has worked tirelessly as a coach engaging with young and old keeping abreast of new changes rules and regulations. She has taken the club from strength to strength.”

“The club had been discussing over the years that they felt Anne should be recognised for all of her hard work and dedication that she has given us as a club and now this is our opportunity to repay this back and show her how much we respect, love and appreciate everything she has done for us and for hockey within the local area.

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"Anne gives up all of her time behind the scenes organising training plans, skills and drills and puts them into practice at training. She has never missed a training session nor any weekend games.

"In fact Anne selfishly gave up her own desire to play for the sake of the club because we had young goalkeepers coming through and it was important that they trained and played so she put her own needs aside.

"The club feel Anne truly deserves this award as she has never been recognised for all of those years she has given to our club and all of sacrifices she has made to bring sport to the local area.”

Stewart’s nomination stated: “Stewart has worked selflessly volunteering his time for a number of years now, developing football in the local community.

"He was instrumental in setting up opportunities for girls’ football at the local primary school where he works and also introducing football clubs for younger pupils.

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"Stewart has created opportunities for many pupils to experience safe and fun football activities and has been successful in promoting strong links between the school, local clubs and wider community.

"He has also been instrumental with turning around and supporting local adult football club Rhu Amateurs in moving back towards the thriving club it once was.

"Stewart, along with other dedicated volunteers, have put endless hours with player engagement, development and community engagement.”

The other winners were William Humphries of Oban Norsemen American Football Club (volunteer young coach of the year); Stephen Groom of North Argyll Cycling Club (club volunteer of the year); Lily Hargreaves and Orla MacLennan from Tobermory High School and Isle of Mull Netball Club (joint winners, young volunteer of the year); and Alan Liddell of Bute Shinty Club (lifetime volunteer of the year).

* We'll have interviews with both Stewart and Anne in a forthcoming print edition of the Advertiser – watch out for their thoughts on their work and their awards.

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