Glasgow Warriors player and Scotland internationalist Stuart Hogg has had the coaches who have helped him develop into a world class athlete recognised by the sportscotland Coaching Chain award.
The Coaching Chain award recognises the contributions made by a group of individuals throughout an elite athlete’s life. This can include a “chain” of three or more coaches who have enabled an athlete in reaching their potential, from school or club level and progressing through the different levels of the coaching system.
First to be recognised as part of the chain was Stuart’s father John Hogg, who ignited Stuart’s love for the game by being the first person to encourage Stuart into developing an interest in rugby at a young age.
“As a wee boy, our living room was a constant rugby pitch as soon as my wife left," John recalls.
"The number of times we’d break ornaments and other stuff was unbelievable, but the rough and tumble was great fun, and as soon as we heard the car coming into the drive, we’d rush to tidy things before the door was opened and my wife was back."
Stuart was soon embraced by a more focused approach to coaching, as John recalls.
“In terms of Stuart’s own playing, I’d always encourage him to try things, we’d always analyse the game afterwards, and I’d give advice to him, especially where something hadn’t quite worked out, to try it a different way next time.”
Also included in the coaching chain are Stuart’s school coaches Mark Wright and John ‘Rocky’ Johnstone, Stuart’s first coach at national (U17) level, Bryan Easson, Glasgow Warriors academy coach Iain Monaghan, Stuart’s first senior professional coach Sean Lineen and current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend.
Gregor said: “I’m delighted that Stuart has thought of me as part of his coaching chain. He’s been a great player to coach.
"I first saw him playing as a 16-year-old and to see him coming through to the Glasgow Warriors academy and team …and then in to the national team and the British and Irish Lions has been great.
“Being a coach for a player like Stuart is an easy job, especially at my level, because you just want him to play, you want him to learn by going out and doing things and he has a great ability to have a big influence on games.”
The prestigious sportscotland Coaching Officiating and Volunteering Awards 2017 were held on 8 November at Stirling Court Hotel, where leading athletes congratulated the winners and thanked them for their work in supporting and developing sport in Scotland.
The nominated coaches picked up their award on an evening where 12 other inspirational coaches, officials and volunteers from across Scotland were recognised for their significant contribution to sport over the past 12 months.
At the event, hosted by BBC Scotland’s Bryan Burnett, coaches, officials and volunteers involved in swimming, diving, football, netball, tennis, gymnastics and badminton were recognised for the many hours they dedicate to helping others compete at the best level they can.
Find out more
Be inspired by the stories of all the 2017 COV winners.
Visit the sportscotland website for information about the COV Awards.
