Hi, I’m James Brown. I’ve been playing rugby for over 25 years. In my younger years I played in the backs at centre and as I got older, I moved to the forwards- but I have played every position in rugby. I’ve played at youth and senior level at Cambuslang, and I am now Head Coach of a senior side in Glasgow’s west end, occasionally still pulling the boots on if required.

I’ve been coaching at Cambuslang Rugby Club for around 9 years and im entering my 6^th year coaching at Stonelaw. I started coaching at Stonelaw 6 years ago, when I came to help Mr Sheppard to deliver rugby sessions. Now, 6 years later the School of Rugby has come on leaps and bounds. The work Mr Sheppard puts in every week to get the kids involved is a credit to him and the school.

My niece is currently involved with the School of Rugby and she and the girls wanted somewhere else to develop, so I started a girl’s section at Cambuslang Rugby Club for them to enhance their rugby development.

I took up coaching as the next best thing to playing and have loved every minute of passing on not just rugby skills but life skills as well, which I benefited from over the years from coaches that helped me to get to this point.

I just love the game of rugby and to see infants, children, teenagers and adults enjoying themselves playing week in, week out, building friendships that will last forever is really special.

The link between the club and school has been fantastic with over 65% of kids involved in SoR now playing in at the club. We also have 5 players that started way back at under 13s with the school who have just recently left to go onto college and university and have made the step into senior rugby; Angus Boland, Logan Marshall, Robbie Keith and Fraser Cameron, the school should be immensely proud of the work these guys have put in and grown into fine young men.

Rugby playing career

• Played rugby at mini, midi and senior level for Cambuslang.

• Club vice –captain & captain over a period of 5 years in the early 2000s.

• Position – 2^nd row/ no *.

• Represented Glasgow at age group level U16, U18, U19 and U21.

Coaching Experience

I am in my 9^th season coaching at the club, covering age groups from P1 through to U15s. I am a qualified rugby referee and UKCC Level 1 Coach.

Why are you involved?

Playing rugby has been great fun and helped me develop a range of life skills over the years. I’ve benefited from the efforts of numerous coaches in the past. Now, it feels important to take the opportunity to give a bit back to the next generation of players.

Do you have a pupil at Stonelaw?

No, but my dad is a former Head of the Maths department!!!

What do you enjoy about helping?

It is great to see players develop their rugby skills gaining confidence in their abilities, working as a team and enjoying themselves

How have you as a coach or Cambuslang as a club benefited from SoR?

It has given me the opportunity to work with players across different age groups from those I coach at the club.

For the club, there are now players in senior 1^st XV at Cambuslang who began playing rugby at Stonelaw.

Players who get involved at school then come along to our club, help increase our playing numbers and support us to put out more teams at midi level. In return, the additional skills and experience players gain at Cambuslang helps boost the performance of the teams at Stonelaw.

Anything you would like to add?

A massive well done should go to James Brown who was the first club coach to get involved at Stonelaw and has done a huge amount to help build the links between school and club.

Rugby playing career

• I played rugby at Cambuslang from U8s to under 18 level.

• Played at number 8.

• Attended Scotland training camps.

Coaching Experience

I have just started coaching at the club and this is my first full season. I have just completed my introduction to match officiating referee course.

Why are you involved?

After my girls have grown up and I no longer need to be involved in the things they were doing, I have always enjoyed watching rugby and was keen to get back involved and help the younger generation play a sport I love.

Do you have a pupil at Stonelaw?

No.

What do you enjoy about helping?

I love seeing different abilities come together to form a team bond that could last a lifetime.

How have you as a coach or Cambuslang as a club benefited from SoR?

As a coach, it gives me great joy in seeing young people come/work together to form a bond and team. I love the progress you see in each individual. The club benefits, as working with the school opens up a larger number of skilled players that might want to join.

Anything you would like to add?

I’m very much looking forward to working with the school in developing the future of rugby!

Rugby playing career

• Cambuslang RFC U13, U15, U18, Snr 1^st 2^nd 3^rd team, Chobham RFC 1^st team London East 1 Division

Coaching Experience

I am new to coaching and have started with S2/3 Girls and Boys at SoR.

Why are you involved?

Mr Sheppard asked me, I love rugby and enjoy everything about the game.

Do you have a pupil at Stonelaw?

Yes, Mhairi and Niamh who are in S3.

What do you enjoy about helping out?

I enjoy seeing how well the girls picked up the game, their willingness to learn and commitment is truly impressive.

How have you as a coach or Cambuslang as a club benefited from SoR?

Benefits for me is seeing the players develop skills and enjoy the game. The club has benefited from many new players and even the first Cambuslang Female Section!

Rugby playing career

• Played midi and mini rugby at Cambuslang RFC from the age of 8!

• Played with Cathkin High School rugby 1^st to 6^th year

• Played with U18 & U21 in South Wales with Llandwit Fadre

I played all over the pitch, however in the main I played inside centre

Coaching Experience

I’ve been coaching now for 7 years at Cambuslang, focusing in at mini rugby level. I am a qualified rugby referee and UKCC level 1 Coach.

Why are you involved?

Rugby has always been my very much part of my life in so many ways. Once you become part of the rugby community, it’s a place to make friends, develop yourself, grow as an individual and an environment which is always encourages the best of everyone. It’s also cyclical through the generations so now it’s my turn to give back to inspire our future talent in the community!

Do you have a pupil at Stonelaw?

My children don’t attend Stonelaw, although I know a lot of pupils who do through the rugby club

What do you enjoy about helping out?

I love seeing the continuous development and improvement. I love seeing players starting in P1 who are now touching professional rugby! It’s such a buzz. More importantly, I love seeing how inclusive our sport is and the enjoyment a wide range of sizes, shapes and ability all get from the sport.

How have you as a coach or Cambuslang and as a club benefited from SoR?

Getting involved in coaching allows me to develop others, help others realise their ambitions and allows me to create an environment where players feel safe to express themselves through rugby. We see the relationship between the community and our club as the key to growing the rugby club within the community and this is where we really benefit as a club.

Anything you would like to add?

It’s great to be involved at Stonelaw and I look forward to supporting the school’s growth and ambition.