Barbara Knox and Chloe Emordy of Springburn Harriers show off their trophies (photo via the club)
4J Award winners in club, coach, Officials and volunteer categories
By Peter Jardine, Head of Communications
Social media channels were full recently with #InternationalVolunteerDay content as organisations across Scotland and beyond celebrated those with helping hands.Across the athletics in Scotland landscape, however, every day is volunteer day as our ‘workforce’ of coaches, club folk and Officials make the sport happen.
And it is no exaggeration to say our clubs are powered by volunteers on a weekly basis.
Springburn Harriers are fully aware and are fortunate to have not one but two ‘winners’ in this regard with Barbara Knox named our Volunteer of the Year at the 4J Annual Awards in October and Chloe Emordy awarded Volunteer of the Year at the Scottish Women in Sport awards.
We went along to a cold training night at Sprinburn’s home track at Huntershill and were warmed to hear from both Barbara and Chloe on how they combine coaching and officiating.
Barbara spoke about the influence athletics clubs can have on mental health while Chloe enthused about her role as a ‘mentor’ for our ATS Young People’s Forum.
‘At Springburn Harriers we do feel the club can have a big role in people’s lives,’ said Barbara.
‘The mental health aspect is important to us and we have worked with SAMH for a number of years now. We know the positive effect doing sport can have on mental health.
‘It is not just doing sport – it can be coaching or volunteering or being an Official for scottishathletics. Spending time with other people can be very positive for mental health and I think athletics clubs can be great for that for people.’
Barbara and Chloe brought their respective trophies along for our interview.
‘I was delighted to accept the Volunteer of the Year trophy at the 4J Awards night,’ she added.
‘It was an honour even to be nominated for the award – I did not know that initially – so was excited to hear when the short-list was announced. There were some great nominees.
‘I’m a coach and an Official and I love having those two roles.
‘In coaching you have an impact on the young people at your own club directly but then when you go to events and you are officiating you get to see others from clubs around…
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