Life Members

This page celebrates the life members of SALSC and Scottish ClubSport. Life Members have made significant contribution to our success, have provided national and local support to clubs and volunteers and can be relied upon for ongoing guidance and direction.

We thank all of our life members who have shared their stories with us.

Recent inductees into Life Membership include Rick Kenney OBE (Borders), Dilawer Singh MBE (Glasgow), Rona McCraw (East Fife), Jim Ballantyne (East Kilbride), Bob Anderson (East Kilbride) and Kenneth Ovens (Borders).

David Laing MBE

Number of years involved with Scottish ClubSport/SALSC:
Too many years to count!

ClubSport network/Sports Council:
Club Sport Roxburgh and Roxburgh Sports Council

Reason for life membership:
Appreciation of my dedicated service to SALSC and its members over many years, as a past Chair and Vice Chair of SALSC. I took the time to personally visit almost all of the Sports Councils during my time in those roles and also represented SALSC in Europe as a ‘top leader in sport’ representing Scotland within ISCA. I’m a massive supporter of SALSC Events and Seminars in particular!

How would you describe SCS in three words?
Quality Membership Support

Favourite piece of advice given to you?
“Make everyone feel welcome wherever you go” (I do not think I ever forgot that)

What advice would you give to other volunteers?
Volunteering no matter how much or how little is invaluable and fulfilling in driving sport forward.

Jim Conn

Number of years involved with Scottish ClubSport/SALSC:
25

ClubSport network/Sports Council:
Aberdeenshire Sports Council /ClubSport

Reason for life membership:
Chair for 3 years during period we became an Incorporated body.

How would you describe SCS in three words?
Great lobbying organisation

Favourite piece of advice given to you?
If possible, never say no

What advice would you give to other volunteers?
As above – volunteering opens up a world of opportunity – I’ve met so many wonderful people and been to many fantastic places through volunteering.

Bob Ellis

Number of years involved with Scottish ClubSport/SALSC:
Must be around 20 years

ClubSport network/Sports Council:
Perth & Kinross Sports Council 1996 – 2018

Reason for life membership:
I have always held sport and leisure very highly. I learned a lot through working with local authority officers and gained their respect in all that I did or tried to do, to further sport in every way. It was exactly the same with SALSC, working with like-minded volunteers from all over Scotland and our officers. I was Vice Chairman and then Chairman both very honourable positions that I was proud of.

How would you describe SCS in three words?
Serving – Community – Sports

Favourite piece of advice given to you?
Never give up, go with your dreams and always be positive

What advice would you give to other volunteers?
Never be afraid to ask a daft question, always listen especially to both sides of the debate and don’t despair if it doesn’t go right, the first time, try, try and try again, you will succeed

John Boyd

Number of years involved with Scottish ClubSport/SALSC:
16 years

ClubSport network/Sports Council:
Stewartry Sports Council

Reason for life membership:
Helped to steer SALSC through a difficult period.

How would you describe SCS in three words?
Wonderful grass roots support vehicle (can’t count!!!)

Favourite piece of advice given to you?
People like to feel needed and involved so listen!

What advice would you give to other volunteers?
Your efforts are appreciated but not necessarily all the time or at the time