A young coach who works tirelessly to help the next generation of boxers in his community has had his dedication recognised after being named sportscotland Young Coach of the Year.
Accomplished boxer Kieran McMaster has made a massive impact in his sport and community.
In his role as a sports mentor with East Ayrshire Council and a coach at North West Amateur Boxing Club, he has worked with young people from throughout the area of all ages and abilities.
Kieran has mentored some of the most vulnerable young people in East Ayrshire, using boxing as a tool to build meaningful bonds to allow challenging conversations to take place of topics such as mental health and drugs and alcohol.
These relationships have seen the young people he mentors flourish, and not only in the boxing ring. For many, attendance at school has also increased.
In his own words
Kieran said: “As a coach and an athlete I don’t think there is anything more important than helping someone in and out of the sport.
"For a lot of my kids, I’m mainly there to coach them boxing, but I’m there to help something in the background as well.
“It might be stress at home or exam stress. I’ve worked with some kids who have quite difficult backgrounds and I’ve worked with them for a year or two years and been a consistent male role model in their lives.”
Awards night
Kieran picked up his award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards 2019 at Glasgow City Chambers on 21 November.
Inspirational coaches, officials and volunteers from all over Scotland were recognised across 15 categories for their significant contribution to sport.
Hosted by BBC Scotland’s Bryan Burnett, the Awards celebrated coaches, officials and volunteers for their work in sports such as swimming, cycling, athletics, football, karate, wheelchair curling, basketball, boxing and canoeing.
Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, said: “Every year across Scotland, thousands of dedicated sporting enthusiasts devote their time, knowledge and skills to afford others the chance to take part in sport, and experience all the benefits that come with sport participation.
“Our Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards give us a chance to celebrate the great sporting achievements that are taking place every day and congratulate those who are making an incredible commitment to Scottish sport.
“At sportscotland we are implementing a world-class sporting system at every level and that is only possible with the support of the many dedicated coaches, officials and volunteers.”
Find out more
Visit the sportscotland website for information about coaching, officiating and volunteering.
