Strathmore are on the hunt for a new chairperson

Stuart Gray, Chair of Strathmore Community Rugby Trust.

The trust was founded in 2017 by current Chair, Stuart Gray, to increase public participation in sport in the Forfar, Kirriemuir and Brechin areas in order to benefit community health and wellbeing as well as develop young people into healthy, positive members of the community.

He’s led its growth from a single project - a Rugby Academy for senior school pupils to learn life as well as rugby skills on Friday afternoons – to nine for people of all ages and abilities, including rugby for primary children with or undergoing diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their siblings, Walking Rugby for adults, Unified Rugby for adults and youths with disabilities and projects to increase social contact jointly run with Strathmore Cricket Club.

The trust’s work, done in partnership with Strathmore RFC, Brechin RFC, Scottish Rugby and Scotland Rugby League, has been recognised at the Scottish Charity Awards with the Pioneering Project Award in 2020 for the ASD rugby project and is partly funded through sponsorship from local businesses and organisations as well as national charitable bodies such as The National Lottery. HRH the Duke of Edinburgh became its Royal Patron in 2020 after seeing its work in person in 2019.

Blair Butchart coaching at one of the autism-friendly rugby sessions in Brechin.

The trust’s vision is to have developing people through rugby become a routine and sustainable part of life in Angus in which the trust continues to play a leading role. It uses rugby as a tool to develop its participants as individuals as well as athletes and it develops their skills and confidence so they can give back to their community.

After six years leading the charge, Stuart Gray is looking to take a step back from the front row of the trust to become Treasurer, so the charity is advertising for someone to take over as Chairperson.

It’s looking for someone with a track record of successful Board-level leadership and an understanding of the values of rugby to join this forward-thinking, dynamic group who’s committed to continuing to set high standards and leading the way in community initiatives, working closely with key partners.

They also need: a working knowledge of sport and the public or private sectors; financial and commercial acumen; experience of building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders; an ability to manage relationships with colleagues and an understanding of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a charity trustee. Full details are on its website and applications close on Sunday (April 30).

One of the Strathmore Community Rugby Trust Unified Rugby sessions in action.

Trust Chair Stuart Gray says: “We’re looking for someone who shares our ambition and drive, is excited to develop people through rugby and who wants to ensure our success and longevity through robust financial and organisational sustainability.

“I’m very proud of what the trust has achieved to date and look forward to supporting my successor in taking it to the next level.”

If you’re interested, read more at strathmoretrust.co.uk/about-us/opportunities or contact Stuart on: [email protected]