National Volunteer Award Profile – David Sutherland

The latest winner of the Bowls Scotland National Volunteer Awards is David Sutherland from Corstorphine Bowling Club, who has been recognised for his outstanding long service, leadership and dedication to the club and wider bowls community.

A hugely respected figure at Corstorphine BC, David has given decades of service to the club as a player, coach, committee member, Match Secretary, President and Secretary. His contribution was also recently recognised by the club when he was awarded Life Membership, becoming only the 11th member to receive the honour in the club’s 135-year history.

David first joined Corstorphine BC in 1983, aged 27, after being encouraged to take up the sport by his father, who was already a member of the club. At the time, David was playing badminton during the winter and saw bowls as a summer sport that fitted well alongside it.

Reflecting on his early involvement, David said: “I quickly realised I could play a bit and enjoyed the game, along with the social interaction with fellow members and other clubs.”

On the green, David’s proudest moments include winning the Club Championship and representing Corstorphine BC over the years in league matches and knockout ties. Away from the green, however, his impact has been just as significant.

David has been involved in the administration and running of the club for many years, following the example set by his father, who also gave a great deal of time to Corstorphine BC. Having retired early from his working life, David said his involvement with the club has given him both focus and purpose.

“Following my father’s example, who also gave many years to the club administration, I have always wanted to see the club prosper and continue to be seen as a progressive and welcoming place. Having been fortunate to retire early from my working life, being involved in these projects has kept me busy and given a focus to my time.”

David was nominated for the award by Sandy Mackay, who highlighted the professional approach David has brought to his role as Secretary since being appointed in 2014. Sandy explained that running a club is, in many ways, like running a business, with clubs now required to comply with a wide range of increasingly complex responsibilities, including health and safety, employment laws, data protection, licensing regulations and child and vulnerable adult protection.

Having seen David’s work first-hand, Sandy said: “I observed at first hand his approach ensuring our club was run in an extremely professional manner which is, of course, best business practice.”

Over the years, David’s contribution has covered almost every aspect of club life. He served 10 years as an ordinary committee member, five years as Match Secretary, then as Vice President, President and Immediate Past President, before settling into the role of Secretary for the last 12 years. Even during a short break from committee duties around 2000/01, he continued to support the club as auditor.

David has also played a key role in several important projects at Corstorphine BC. From 2011 to 2014, with the support of others, he led the development of the club’s locker room extension. He later led the review and modernisation of the club constitution, helping Corstorphine BC achieve Bronze BowlsMark, before further work helped the club secure Silver BowlsMark in 2024.

David’s commitment to the future of the sport has also been clear through his involvement in Try Bowls, coaching and links with local primary schools. He has helped lead the club’s accredited coaches in welcoming new participants, many of whom have gone on to become members of Corstorphine BC.

David said: “Without new members joining, the sport and the club would just fade away. Try Bowls has yearly brought new members to our club who might not otherwise have joined us, keeping our numbers higher than many others.”

He also explained that the club’s work with local primary schools is about giving young people a positive first experience of bowls, even if they do not join straight away.

“The links with the local primaries is a bit more like missionary work, the kids all enjoy themselves during their visits but they have so many competing options that can make it difficult to retain them. But hopefully as they get older, they will see a club somewhere, promoting Try Bowls or an Open Day, and remember their enjoyable experience and go along and join. The sport as a whole gains.”

Sandy also highlighted David’s role in making new members feel welcome at Corstorphine BC, ensuring they were encouraged, offered coaching and supported as they integrated into club life. Alongside this, David has supported many committee members and Presidents over the years, helping them fulfil their roles to the best of their ability.

He has also represented Corstorphine BC at the Edinburgh Bowling Association and Bowls Scotland, helping ensure the club’s voice was heard on matters of concern. Outside his own club, David has served as Treasurer of the Edinburgh Juniors Young Bowlers Association, further underlining his commitment to supporting the sport beyond Corstorphine.

Sandy said: “Without volunteers no club can function and whilst we have many who assist, no one has done it for so long, in so many different aspects, and so efficiently.”

That service was formally recognised at Corstorphine BC’s 2026 AGM, where David was awarded Life Membership. The club’s Vice-President, seconding the motion, described the honour as one “rarely bestowed” and praised David for consistently going “above and beyond what anyone could reasonably expect.”

For David, the recognition was a special and emotional moment.

“I felt totally overwhelmed and speechless, not like me, to be honest. I had no idea this was going to happen and although special, it is certainly not the reason I have volunteered.”

David believes every club relies on people giving whatever time they can, whether that is decades of committee service or simply helping with small jobs when needed.

“I have always felt that all clubs need volunteers to keep them going. Not everyone can give 30 years, but most could spare an evening a month to do a bar shift, an hour to set the green, or any one of the many other small jobs required to keep their club going.”

David’s story is a fantastic example of the difference one dedicated volunteer can make over many years. Through his leadership, coaching, administrative work and commitment to welcoming new members, he has helped Corstorphine Bowling Club remain a progressive, well-run and welcoming place for bowlers of all ages.

Huge congratulations to David on behalf of everyone at Bowls Scotland for receiving this thoroughly deserved National Volunteer Award.