Springburn judo coach Rebecca lands top national award

Springburn-based Rebecca Maclean has been named sportscotland's Young Coach of the Year.
Rebecca Maclean with her sportscotland Young Coach of the Year award (pic by Margaret Anne McKenna)Rebecca Maclean with her sportscotland Young Coach of the Year award (pic by Margaret Anne McKenna)
Rebecca Maclean with her sportscotland Young Coach of the Year award (pic by Margaret Anne McKenna)

The 26-year-old picked up the accolade when sportscotland, the national agency for sport, teamed up with Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) to kick off 2018 in style with the Year of Young People 2018 Awards at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.

Rebecca travels up to 650 miles per week from Fort William to coach in the Judo Girls Rock programme in Springburn, Whiteinch and the East End of Glasgow and her award is in recognition of her tremendous dedication to her coaching work.

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She said: “It was such a surprise to be nominated so it’s amazing to have won.

“I absolutely love what I do at Judo Girls Rock, that’s why I keep doing it. I’ve grown such a bond with the girls and the project.

“To see the difference in the girls while I’ve been working with them is so satisfying, that is the key to it. To see other girls enjoying judo like I did when I was younger is brilliant. I’ve gained so much experience out of the programme as well.”

SSF is a charity which has changed lives through sport. Over the past 17 years its work has supported communities where people are vulnerable or at risk.

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SSF’s local and national programmes provide tailored pathways to positive destinations, enabling young people to fulfil their potential and widening opportunities for all.

Mel Young, sportscotland chair, said: “We were delighted to team up with Scottish Sports Futures to celebrate the fantastic work being done through their initiatives up and down the country.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, there was some truly inspirational stories shared on the night.

“Through the hard work and dedication, these young people have shown how sport can be used for positive social change within their communities.”

“sportscotland is committed to delivering sporting opportunities within communities to help young participants and athletes develop and learn. We continue to develop young leaders in sport.”

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