A rugby enthusiast, credited with transforming his Dalkeith club’s mini and youth sections, among other achievements, has won the Volunteer of the Year award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Awards 2024.
Stevie Halliday has been recognised for the time and dedication he has given to rugby in Midlothian, particularly at Dalkeith RFC.
Serving as the Director of Youth Rugby last year, Stevie transformed Dalkeith RFC’s mini and youth rugby sections. Under his leadership, the club fielded its first under-18 team in over a decade, culminating in Dalkeith RFC’s inaugural appearance in a national final.
The club’s mini and youth sections have seen remarkable growth under his guidance, now boasting over 300 boys and girls. Thanks to Stevie’s hard work and organisation, Dalkeith RFC consistently field boys’ teams at under-13, under-14, under-16, and under-18 levels, along with its first girls’ youth teams.
One of Stevie’s focuses has been providing opportunities for girls graduating from mini rugby to continue playing at Dalkeith RFC. This initiative has been a success with 27 girls now actively participating in youth rugby. Stevie also coaches the under-18 side, steering them to the National School Bowl Final at Murrayfield, marking the club’s first national final in its history.
Stevie’s support for Dalkeith RFC’s youth players extends beyond coaching. He has organised first aid courses, mental health workshops and encouraged players to take on roles in running the club and coaching. His commitment to Dalkeith RFC is longstanding, having served as a player, club captain and president.
Stevie said: “My view is you always gets out of something what you put in. I met my wife at the rugby club; we’ve got two kids who are both involved in the rugby now so that drives me on to make sure there’s a place for them to be. It’s been a place that’s been a good environment for me and I want to make sure it stays that way for everyone else.”
Jason Hendrie,1st XV coach at Dalkeith RFC, said: “Stevie’s always pushing everyone at the club to make things better. He’s always wanting the best for the club, if we didn’t have Stevie I don’t know where we’d be. He drives it so much.”
The sportscotland COV Awards celebrates the people who make sport happen in communities across Scotland, who inspire and enhance the lives of others and often commit their own time to help make sport accessible to as many people as possible. This year nearly 300 nominations were received covering 34 different sports and all 32 local authorities.
The COV winners were invited to collect their award at a presentation ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said:
“Individuals like Stevie have dedicated a huge amount of their time to helping others realise their sporting potential.”
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
