Local rugby volunteer 'overwhelmed' after award win
Over the past two years, Becky has helped the girls' section of the club grow from just a handful of players to over 50 active participants.
And despite being the one to get the nod, Becky was quick to hail the impact of all the volunteers at Minchinhampton.
'It's really lovely,' she said. 'I don't do it for the recognition, I do it because I love it, because the girls love playing.
'It's great to have been chosen but it is a little bit overwhelming for me because I know of all the great jobs other people do.
'After all, I can't do what I do without the coaches, without the referees, without the families or without the other volunteers at the club. It really is a team effort.'
Becky (second from the right) with Mike Webb and Alex Norman, coaches at Minchinhampton RFC and Red Rose Mackenzie Carson (Image: Becky Scanlon-Brown)The Honda Volunteer of the Year awards are part of the Honda Volunteer Recognition Programme which provides a platform to recognise the volunteers who make up such an integral part of the game.
The awards recognise those who have had a major impact in their clubs and communities and demonstrated their commitment to the game over the past 12 months.
Becky first felt inspired to get involved after realising that her daughter might not have the opportunity to play the game at secondary school age without there being a girls' team to play for.
Since then, Becky, whose full-time job is as a senior customer development manager for Mondelez, owners of Cadbury, has been an instrumental figure at the club and spearheaded a range of different projects and initiatives.
They include the implementation of the Cotswold Lionesses Hub, a collaboration between Minchinhampton, Cirencester and Faringdon rugby clubs which provides over 120 girls with the opportunity to access rugby in a structured and supportive environment, enrichment trips and finding creative ways to increase retention rates and help players through various personal challenges.
'The girls are phenomenal,' Scanlon-Brown continued.
'They reward each other, and they see the value of playing together in a team.
'We have a number of players within our team with neurodiverse traits too and we celebrate each other and their superpower. I'm so proud of all the girls.
'One day, it would be wonderful to say that this team has been able to produce somebody that has gone on to make their passion into a career. That would be amazing, and it would be great to have that legacy.'
Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots rugby in England. If you'd like to get involved and make a difference at your community club, visit: www.englandrugby.com/volunteering
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
East Kilbride Pirates get grant for new kits from Royal Mail
The East Kilbride Pirates U16s American football team was awarded the funding through Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids programme, which aims to get more young people active by supporting grassroots clubs in their communities. The Pirates were nominated for the funding by their coach and local postman, Willie Brown. Mr Brown, a Hall of Fame player, ensured the boys got new practice and playing jerseys, as well as 'bottom kit' for training and games. Read more: Donald Trump expected to visit Scotland later this month Greg Sage, director of corporate affairs and ESG at Royal Mail, said: "Our 130,000 people are at the heart of their communities across the UK, and Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids gives colleagues the opportunity to show their support and help young people get active in their local area. "Unwavering pride and passion, forging through all weathers, out in the community – grassroots sport has a lot in common with Royal Mail. "This exciting new initiative brings the two together and we are delighted to be able to support the East Kilbride Pirates." The Pirates were established in 1985 and are an amateur, volunteer-run club that aims to provide a safe and positive environment for all players to participate in and enjoy American football. Amanda McDonald, chair of the East Kilbride Pirates, said: "The grant from Royal Mail has been a godsend for us in these challenging times, especially because American football uniforms have to be ordered specially from a limited number of suppliers. "The kids are delighted to wear their new jerseys to their tournaments. "Willie was a real hero to apply for this funding – it's typical of how passionate and dedicated he is to the team." The Kits 4 Kids programme was launched to help youth sports teams in need of new equipment and received 2,500 nominations from employees in its first year and has supported 300 teams so far.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
‘How are you friends?' – Real Madrid icon's shock at discovering Celtic hero Scott Brown's close bond with Rangers rival
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTT BROWN shared a pitch with him in Glasgow - but they were on opposite sides. The Celtic legend, however, has since worked alongside ex-Rangers star and pal Steven Whittaker on the same side since becoming manager at Fleetwood and now Ayr United - just like they did when they were youngsters at Hibs. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scott Brown at The Renaissance Club taking part in the Pro-Am ahead of the Genesis Scottish Open Credit: Getty 4 He was on the course with a Real Madrid icon Credit: Getty 4 Brown laughing and joking with Spanish legend Raul Credit: Getty Brown, 40, called upon his old pal Whittaker to join him down south in his first dugout role in 2022 and again when he returned up north to take over at Somerset Park in 2024. They're joined at the hip again just like the good old days at Hibs before they went their separate ways down the M8. Many friendships would struggle to last through years of battling each other in the goldfish bowl of Glasgow. But Brown and Whittaker didn't let the rivalry get in their way. That's something that Real Madrid and Spain icon Raul couldn't get his head around, though, as he revealed his shock at discovering they were both friends during a round of golf at Renaissance this week. The footballing trio from Scotland and Spain were paired together for the Pro-Am rounds at the Genesis Scottish Open and Raul was fascinated by the fact that an ex-Celtic and former Rangers player were hanging out together. Whittaker revealed: 'When we mentioned [playing for] Celtic, Rangers, he was almost like: How are you friends? "But then I explained we obviously came through together at Hibs for the six years we spent together. He was a gentleman all the way around. It was a pleasure to play a round with him." On the round itself, the ex-Rangers star continued: 'The golf was a bit hit and miss, but the company, and just to play a course like this when it's set up for the Scottish Open, is really special. "Off the first, you're always thinking: Just get the tee-shot away, but I found it nervous coming up the last as well. I shanked about three shots! I just knew there were so many eyes on me. Steven Whittaker One-on-One Hibs & Rangers hero on life with Scott Brown, collapsed Man City move & THAT goal in Lisbon "It's a different nerves to playing football because that's what we've done obviously all our days.' The trio played alongside pros Aaron Rai and Eugenio Chacarra in the Pro-Am event. Similar to Whittaker, Celtic hero Brown was in awe of the 102-cap Spain international who won three Champions Leagues with the La Liga giants. He said: 'He was a great lad. He spoke really well all the way around, very friendly, so was his family, also his lad being on the bag as well. 4 Brown with Whittaker at Hibs back in 2003 Credit: Andrew Barr - The Sun Glasgow "He talked a little bit about his career, but he was more interested in golf and it was good just to get an honest chat all the way around. There wasn't too much football chat, shall we say.' There might not have been much football discussion on the course but Brown did have the chance to ask Raul if he'd come out of retirement to become an Honest Man. When jokingly asked about a potential Ayr deal, Brown laughed: 'To be fair, he says he's still got the pace to go in behind, so we've tried to open it up!' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Scott Brown reveals the Celtic and Rangers question Raul had for him and Steven Whittaker at golf link up
The Ayr management duo enjoyed Pro-Am blast with the stars but the former Celtic skipper had a mare Ex-Scotland heroes Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker savoured their golfing day alongside Real Madrid icon Raul and the game's elite. The Ayr United management duo teamed-up with the Spanish superstar as well as pros Aaron Rai and Eugenio Chacarra at the Genesis Scottish Open Pro-Am. Whittaker produced an eagle at one point as Brown confirmed: 'Net albatross, so that was good. We got a few points. I think more importantly, it was a good day with some good golf, but also it was a quiet friendly match and the pros were exceptional. There was some good golf, some really bad golf, probably down to me that!' Chat with Raul, whose son Hugo caddies for Chacarra, was kept mainly to golf as Brown explained: 'He was a great lad. He spoke really well all the way around, very friendly, so was his family, also his lad being on the bag as well. "He talked a little bit about his career, but he was more interested in golf and it was good just to get an honest chat all the way around. There wasn't too much football chat, shall we say.' But when jokingly asked about discussing an Ayr deal, Brown quipped: 'To be fair, he says he's still got the pace to go in behind, so we've tried to open it up!' Whittaker smiled: 'When we mentioned [playing for] Celtic, Rangers, he was almost like: How are you friends! "But then I explained we obviously came through together at Hibs for the six years we spent together. He was a gentleman all the way around. It was a pleasure to play a round with him. 'The golf was a bit hit and miss, but the company, and just to play a course like this when it's set up for the Scottish Open, is really special. "Off the first, you're always thinking: Just get the tee-shot away, but I found it nervous coming up the last as well. I shanked about three shots! I just knew there were so many eyes on me. "It's a different nerves to playing football because that's what we've done obviously all our days.' Getting to see Rai, the 2020 Renaissance champ, and Chacarra up close was a thrill as he added: 'The way the ball goes through the air is just frightening. It seems to be in the air forever when they drive the ball off the tee, but you see their feel and their focus just trying to prepare for the few days coming up.'
