SP Energy Networks Community Spotlight | Colin Dalgarno

Colin is the Vice President and 2XV Coach of Strathaven and is involved with coaching the Seniors, Midis, and Minis teams.

Colin—affectionately known as Chunk at the club—joined Strathaven committee at the age of 16 and has now served the club on a completely voluntary basis in various roles for twenty years.

He has been a dedicated member for almost thirty years playing minis, midis and senior rugby alongside playing for Lanarkshire Lions and Glasgow Chiefs district squads. Colin has also played internationally in Cyprus and in England at Reading RFC all while maintaining his membership at Strathaven.

Colin was thrilled to be recognised for his hard work: “I am delighted to receive the SP Energy Networks Community Spotlight Award.

“Rugby over the years has given me so much: discipline, communication and leadership skills, integrity and lifelong friendships across the country to name a few. With no longer being able to play due to injury, my priority has changed to being able to give back to the sport.”

COLIN’S FUNDRAISING WORK

Now acting as Vice President and coach for Strathaven, Colin’s involvement with fundraising activities have helped open new facilities for Strathaven’s members to enjoy.

Colin was a founding member of a charity named Whiteshawgate 3G Sports Trust which was formed in partnership with Strathaven Rugby Club and Strathaven Dynamo Football Club. The organisation was formed so that the two clubs could jointly raise funds to vastly improve the sports facilities within the local community.

In February 2015, Colin worked tirelessly as part of the committee to secure the funds to construct a floodlit all-weather sports pitch and a new grass playing field for the rugby club. The project commenced in September 2016. Colin donated project management and quantity surveying services free of charge overseeing the build of the project prior to its official opening on the 24 March 2017.

The pitch now services over 700 members across both Strathaven Rugby Club and Strathaven Dynamos along with countless other community groups, schools, and members of the public. This is all able through the facilities public access policy, proposed by Colin to allow others to benefit from the use of the all-weather surface.

After a pipe burst in Strathaven’s clubhouse in 2020 damaging much of the infrastructure, Colin again took the lead on planning and project management to rebuild the facilities. The clubhouse re-opened 24 September 2022. Strathaven’s facilities are modern and in line with Carbon Net Zero 2030 principals, accessible for all and inclusive for everyone within the community. Club members have emphasised the hugely positive impact the upgraded facility has had on the club.

Colin spoke to glasgowwarriors.org about all the work he has done during his time with the club: “Over the last few years I’ve donated professional services learned in my work life to rugby project management. I have managed a refurbishment of our club and future proofing it for generations to come.

“Adding renewable energy systems and battery storage, as a committee, we have also managed to fundraise and partner with other local sports groups setting up a charity which has provided a rugby-ready 3G pitch and a brand-new grass pitch at Strathaven RFC.

“These are all facilities which the club is extremely grateful to have, and it has been a privilege to work with such a committed group of members to be able to provide these facilities not only to rugby, but our local community.

“To be recognised for this award is absolutely amazing. None of it would have been possible without the support of the committee we have at SRFC and not to mention our fantastic group of members.”

Colin will be delivering the matchday ball at our next home fixture against Cardiff on Friday 22 March.