THE SCOTSMAN REPORTS
DAVID FERGUSON
FACING up to one of Scotland's most successful captains in a rugby election may seem daunting, but Glasgow City Council's current "enforcement officer" is relishing the opportunity.

Jim Stevenson is as passionate as anyone about the oval-ball game and challenging Peter Brown, the former internationalist, as well as George Jack, the current Scottish Rugby Council vice-chairman, in the race to become the SRU's new president does not appear to affect that in any way. But then, ask anyone who played in last weekend's beach rugby tournament on Islay about the enthusiasm of this 50-year-old, who played in two different teams.

A promising young footballer in Glasgow, Stevenson was persuaded to try rugby as a 21-year-old and after being battered into the mud, as a winger for Rutherglen out at Garnock, he says he rose from the ground desperate for another go. "From that moment I was hooked."

The former motor mechanic worked his way up through local government to now manage a staff of 160 at Glasgow City Council's traffic management department, which means he will be heavily involved in traffic issues around Hampden Park when George Michael and Rod Stewart pitch up this month. So, taking on the well-known 'PC' of Scotland rugby fame holds no fears.

"I had to think about that first in respect of whether I could take over from Andy Irvine as president, but then I've played for four clubs and so has he," he said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "It just so happens his were Heriot's, Scotland, the Barbarians and the British and Irish Lions.

"No, really, Peter is a fine candidate and so is George, but I offer something I think they perhaps don't have. From the experience I have gathered, particularly in meeting other rugby representatives around the world, I don't think you have to be an iconic figure to lead your union.

"I have been involved in the game at various levels over the past 30 years, from my club to the Scottish Rugby Council, and represented the SRU through the Six Nations and autumn Tests. I've developed an understanding of the workings of the council and also how other nations work around Europe and the southern hemisphere.

"But I'm coming with a strong background in grassroots rugby and that is vital in Scottish rugby right now."

Where Stevenson believes he has an advantage on the other candidates is in his experience of striving to convert people in the west of Scotland to rugby.

He explained: "It is my view that the growth of the game is not going to come from traditional rugby areas, but from other areas, the likes of Castlemilk, Drumchapel, Rutherglen. There are potential Scotland internationalists out there who don't know it because they've never been given rugby in school and that is something we need to change, not just in the west.

"If we are to compete at the top level we need more people playing rugby and so we need to see rugby on the curriculum in schools everywhere, and improve links between clubs and schools.

"There is also the perception of rugby. Many people still think it's elitist, or that it's just a mad rammy, and don't realise the huge enjoyment, the skills, the discipline and other aspects you get from it. To really grow the game we need to change that."

As a council member, Stevenson has worked with the SRU on the new club initiatives, such as increased travel grants and regionalisation of the cup, and another area he wants to tackle is enabling the union to provide greater expertise, advice and funding for junior sections at clubs.

"I care," he added. "That's why I'm standing. I care about the grassroots of our game; I care about how we develop the professional teams and give our internationalists the best chance possible of winning, and I believe for Scottish rugby to move forward we need more growth across the grassroots."

This article was posted on 18-Jun-2007, 09:07 by Hugh Barrow.