THE RUTHERGLEN REFORMER REPORTS

Sporting heroes are crowned
Apr 28 2010 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

RUGBY ace Duncan Weir and Scotland hockey star Clare Scott are Cambuslang and Rutherglen’s sports personalities of the year.
The pair was announced as the winners at the local sports awards in Rutherglen Town Hall last Thursday night, as Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council honoured the great and the good in the local area for their sporting achievements in 2009.
Cambuslang teen Duncan, who last year picked up a junior merit award for his sporting success, was the outstanding candidate as he impressed the judging panel with his performances with Glasgow Hawks and the Scottish Sevens team.
And Clare, from Burnside, whose exploits with the Scottish hockey team have won her great acclaim.
Last year Duncan enjoyed his first taste of international action when he participated in the Millfield Tournament scoring in games against Wales and France.
He has now been capped at U17 and U18 for Scotland and is currently a member of the U20 Scotland squad.
The former Cathkin High School pupil was been involved with Cambuslang Rugby Club since he was in primary school, and the 18-year-old stand off made his Glasgow Warriors professional debut on Friday night.
Last year he was selected by Scottish Rugby's national academy this means that he's considered one of the country's brightest rugby prospects.
He is now part of the Scotland Sevens Rugby Squad and represented Scotland in New Zealand and the USA.
Duncan said: “It’s topped off a good year.
“I’ve been away with the Scotland sevens, signing the pro contract and now being on the bench for Glasgow on Friday, it’s been brilliant, and I’m really pleased as I’ve just been taking it stage by stage. From taking a year out through injury in 2008/09, to come back and win this is just great.
“I’m still going down to Cambuslang when I can, from time to time, and try and give something back to the younger players. If they can see what I’ve done, it just shows anyone can do it if they put their mind to it. It gives them something to aim for.
“I’ve done it over the past year with Hawks, and now I’ve been given a professional contract, so hopefully some of them can progress and do the same.”
Clare Scott represented Scotland on many occasions over the past 12 months, playing at the European Championships in Switzerland but lost out in the final on penalty flicks.
At club level her team finished second place in the National league and at the end of 2009 she again represented Scotland in test matches against England, Holland and Belgium.
Clare, who was unable to attend on the night as she was in South Africa, was pleased to win the award again, having previously lifted it in 2007.
She was unaware she had won the award until informed by the Reformer, and said: “Oh, wow! I didn’t actually know I’d won. That’s brilliant.
“I had a good year - I did a lot with my club, we had the Europeans and World Cup matches, and I played six or seven times for Scotland as well.
“I’m really pleased - it’s a great honour and I’ve had so much support from South and North Lanarkshire."

This article was posted on 29-Apr-2010, 10:49 by Hugh Barrow.