March 2024

Following their presentation at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday 9 March, the 2024 Scottish Rugby Community Recognition Award winners for the Caledonia Midlands region have today been announced.

The Community Recognition Awards are Scottish Rugby’s annual domestic game awards programme, focusing on the on and off-field efforts of clubs and schools across Scotland over the course of the season.

Award winners were announced for six categories including; Volunteer of the Season in Youth rugby sponsored by inspiresport, Volunteer of the Season in Schools rugby sponsored by inspiresport, Volunteer of the Season in Adult rugby, Young Person’s Award, Community Club of the Season, and the Community Referee of the Season.

Community Referee of the Season – Don Burns

Don has been part of the Midlands Referee Society for over forty years, taking on a variety of roles during this time including Secretary, Coaching Co-Ordinator, Vice-President, President, and his current role as Treasurer. He also serves as Treasurer for the Scottish Rugby Referees Association (SRRA), As well as his work for the SRRA, Don is also Treasurer for the Caledonia Referee allocation expenses and in doing so serves all the Caledonia Societies. These are often jobs which fly under the radar but are pivotal to the daily running of clubs and regions alike.

Don has never sought recognition for his work, despite showing incredible commitment to the cause of rugby refereeing. His will to help guide both young and experienced referees has not gone unnoticed in his community, most of which he does unprompted. His background work which he does for refereeing benefits not only the refereeing aspect of the game but the whole game in general.

Rugby in the Caledonia Midlands area has greatly benefitted from Don’s invaluable work.

“Don’s passion for the game is second to none. He works away in the background in many facets of the game for refereeing and at club level. He is always on hand to guide new referees (and the oldies as well) without any invitation. He is quiet and unassuming about what he does for referees and rugby in general”- Ben Evans.

Content republished from original source here:
https://scottishrugby.org/caledonia-midlands-community-recognition-award-winners-announced/