Cumnock
Cumnock
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Cumnock
RUGBY CLUB
Cumnock Rugby Club has been working hard during the summer to
make sure that they are able to look forwards to a bright future. Rugby
Club Magazine recently caught up with Club Representative Donald
Hunter to find out more.
Involvement The Role
Donald told us, “I originally played with a small
mini rugby club called Loudon Lions as my
friends played there but due to a lack
of numbers we joined with Cumnock
mini rugby section in Primary 7
around 16-17 years ago. Since
then I have played through the
age levels until I joined the 1st
team at 16 years old playing
tight head prop until early last
season when I was ruled out
with a shoulder injury.
I began getting involved
with coaching the senior squad
with several of the other senior
players when our previous coach
left us in the second half of last
season. Following that interim role, I
put my hat in the ring for the position of
head coach for this season and was appointed
by the club.” “The most challenging aspect for me is taking
over as a new coach with very little practical
coaching experience after passing my
level 2 coaching course. Unlike many
of the coaches within our club, I
haven’t coached mini or midi
teams and worked up to senior
level, I’ve jumped in at the deep
end but I’m lucky to have the
backing of the club committee
and an excellent backs coach in
Morton Houston, who coached
my team for several years
through midi rugby, so it has
been good to have him keeping
me right.
It has been challenging to make
the move from playing with my friends
to coaching them but thankfully the boys
have been ok with it as we have been open
with everyone about our aims so everyone feels a part
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Bobby Horton was born in Auchileck and is the immediate
past president over at Cumnock Rugby Club. He told us,
“I never started my career till I was 43 and continued as
a front row player till the age of 63. My son Kevin, who
went on to play for Glasgow Hawks and competed for a
Scotland select against South Africa in Zimbabwe, was a
product off Cumnock Rugby Club.”
“Kevin now lives in Tenerife. The nature of rugby is such
with its great camaraderie, support and friendships that I
found it easy to become involved in this great sport. Rugby
has given me a lot of fun as well as the opportunity to prop
against a Welsh International, who may have had a few
drinks before the game; I had a try disallowed in the same
match.
“I was easily drawn to the virtues and attributes of
rugby and to this day recognise the gifts it imparts to those
fortunate to be involved. I was part of the Boys Brigade
for many years teaching gymnastics to both boys and
girls which was great fun. Myself and Kevin have always
maintained a high level of physical fitness which has served
us well and in my case allowed me to compete beyond
what is deemed a usual age to play.
“Cumnock Rugby Club are an exceptional rugby club
and I couldn’t help think whilst watching the recent World
of the vision rather than being dictated to. Despite the
challenges, it has been rewarding to see the boys enjoying
their rugby again and us getting some excellent results
with our new style of play. We have a regular band of
supporters so it has been good to give them something
enjoyable to watch again.”
Atmosphere
“We have been lucky to have great comradery within
our senior squad over the years which has got us through
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cup match with Scotland v Japan that the attitude I saw in
the Japanese team with their passion and determination is
very similar to the attitudes I see at my club in Cumnock.
I have sponsored the club for many years now with my
business Horton & Sons Builders and Joiners and I like to
help the club in any way I can. I wish everyone associated
with Cumnock Rugby Club the very best of continued
success for many years to come!”
the highs and the lows and has kept many guys at the
club who could have went to a higher level. We had been
at a high with gaining promotion into West 1, however
for many reasons we struggled to adapt to the higher
paced and more physical rugby we came up against
last season and after our coach left the mood within the
senior squad was at its lowest for some time.
Since Morton and I took over we have been working
hard to get the players back enjoying their rugby again
and following some good league results so far this
season there is a positive vibe back again. In our junior
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