National Volunteer Award Profile - Alan Glendinning
Congratulations to Alan Glendinning, President of Marchmount BC, recent recipient of a Bowls Scotland National Volunteer Award. Alan was nominated for the award for promoting inclusion and being a positive role model and leader. He has played a pivotal role in supporting and coaching Amy Buck, a B1 classified bowler, who represented Scotland for the first time in 2023.
Alan has also received multiple nominations for this award since they were introduced in the Summer of 2021 thanks to his dedication to increasing membership and promoting Marchmount BC as an active and fun community club. We spoke to him to find out how long he has been volunteering at Marchmount and what rewards he gets from volunteering…
“I’ve been a member of Marchmount BC for around 8 years, having taken bowls up again after retirement. During this time I’ve served on the committee for a number of years, held a Personal Licence which allowed me to train staff for the bar, held the role of Green Convenor, now Greenkeeper, been involved in Try Bowls, which is where I first came into contact with Lawra Cox, as National Development Officer for our District at the time. I’ve completed the Introduction to Bowls Coaching Award and been involved in the last 3 years of the club’s Try Bowls recruitment drive, post covid. At the start of the 2023 season Lawra contacted me regarding a visually impaired bowler, Amy, who had only recently taken up the sport with her mum Jenine and was looking for a club who would support her in the Dumfries area. Other than Try Bowls I’ve not had any formal coaching training, but always one to try and help out where I can, so we met and who could say no, once you meet this young lady. I’ve got to mention Bobby Jess who also spent a lot of time on the green with Amy as well. Over the course of the last couple of years both outdoor at Marchmount and indoor at Cumbria Indoor Bowls Club, we’ve spent many hours practicing, trying new things, but all with a view to Amy bowling like any other member of our club. We’ve played in open mixed pairs and mixed triples competitions, attended Visually Impaired Bowlers Scotland Presentation Days. This year we entered the Macauley Mcqueen Memorial Mixed Triples at Marchmount, along with fellow member Mark Burnett and the best result so far, against a strong field we managed an overall win. Indoor we’re playing in the club mixed pairs. First round went well. Roll on the next one.
“Quite simply I enjoy the challenge and helping, and it really has made me think long and hard about how the three of us work together to improve Amy’s game. We actually get on really well and can have a laugh when we’re practising and playing.”
Alan told us more about how he has been working with Amy, and her mum Jenine, always ensuring Amy is included like every member at Marchmount and how the club helped to raise a staggering amount of funds for Guide Dogs in 2023 to support her.
“There have been ups and downs, sometimes I maybe push her a little more than she is ready for. I simply treat her as if is she is like any sighted bowler. The process she goes through to set herself up on the mat has changed dramatically as she and her director have gained in confidence, which has also speeded up her game. It continues to evolve as we practice, try new things and reflect on what has worked and what is more challenging.
“From the start it would be fair to say Amy and Jenine have been welcomed into the club. We spent time on the green and as confidence developed she started to play in the sweeps. 2023 Club Champion Steven Lowther agreed to play a challenge match against Amy, with him playing blindfolded. Only one outcome there. She has also played in the local ladies league. As well as more practice she has got to meet other members. She has continues to travel to play with VIBS, but we have played in open tournaments, met bowlers from the Falkland Islands who were visiting the area, won an open tournament. Bowlers sit and watch sometimes I think in disbelief that she plays so well. The relationship with her director and mum Jenine is special, and as both gain experience and confidence, you can see the difference in Amy’s game. The smile on Amy’s face is reward enough when she plays. I keep telling her “it’s nowt to do with the taking part”. The usual response she comes up with is “no, it’s winning with Glendinning”. Not serious, because it is all about taking part, but it is definitely better when you win!
“Amy wanted to do some fundraising for Guide Dogs as she hopes one day to have a guide dog. When she mentioned it, it was a given that there would be members who wanted to get involved. Fellow member Bobby Jess took it a stage further, suggesting some of us should complete the walk blind folded and Bobby, John Jarvie and myself completed the 2023 Edinburgh Kilt Walk (15 miles) blind folded, along with a group of other members raising over £5000.”
Alan’s nomination for the National Volunteer Award came from mother and daughter Jenine and Amy Buck who were delighted to present him the trophy together at the club. We spoke to them both to find out more about the difference Alan has made at Marchmount and to Amy’s bowling career.
Jenine said: “We nominated Alan because of all the support he gives both Me and Amy to play bowls indoor and outdoor as well as Para Bowls. We wanted to show our appreciation for all the hard work he has given us and Marchmount bowling club. Volunteers like Alan are the backbone of the sport. They are so valuable as they provide the knowledge and skills to pass onto the future generation.
“Alan has such an important role in the club from being president to helping maintain the green. He promotes positivity and inclusion for all.
“Since having regular sessions with Alan he has helped me as a director and Amy as a player to get knowledge of the game. He has helped Amy right from refining her set up on the mat, delivery of her Bowls to understanding the rules of the game. All his hard work has given us the skill to play bowls in the visually impaired leagues, matches at Marchmount Bowling club right through to matches held by Bowls Scotland.”
Club President for 2024, Alan had been conducting the end of season awards at the club when he was surprised to be presented with an award himself!
“I had absolutely no idea it was coming. I’m Club President this year and I had just completed the presentation of prizes at our annual prize giving night when Amy and Jenine came forward and announced the award. I was supposed to be the one handing out the awards this year!
“It was really quite an emotional moment. Amy has been really welcomed and has made a huge impact at Marchmount and everywhere she plays. This says a lot for the club and people. While I really appreciate the award, I just really enjoy helping her along her bowling journey and she has really developed greatly over a couple of years.”
A final word from Amy:
“Alan is such a positive role model to me. He has brought out the fun in Bowls. I have been in some dark times with my sight loss - having support from Alan has given me the encouragement and strength to play bowls.”
Congratulations to Alan on behalf of everyone at Bowls Scotland for receiving his thoroughly deserved National Volunteer Award! Clubs or coaches interested in finding out more about coaching para bowls can find further information on our website, here.
Applications for our next round of nominations close on Friday 13th December 2024. For more information or to nominate someone, please click here to visit our Volunteering page.