Committee

Hillfoots RFC is managed by a 11 strong volunteer Committee, headed by President Peter Norman.  All day to day and development activities are managed or guided by the Committee who meet monthly at the Club House to conduct the Club’s business.

President – Peter Norman

Pete Norman - HRFC President

 Peter is steeped in rugby.  He started playing rugby at the age of 12 whilst a pupil at Alva Academy.  He co-founded Hillfoots RFC in 1971 and played in the first ever match against an Alloa XV on 6 March of that year.  Peter’s senior playing career began as a 15 year old schoolboy with Strathmore RFC.  He continued to play senior rugby until 2005, and today occassionally turns out for The Cast Tups as a prop.  Peter was Captain of Hillfoots for 6 years as well as Captain of the North & Midlands District when they won the regional championship.  In addition Peter played for Central Scotland Police in the final of British Police Championship as well as for the Scottish Police against the French Police.

Peter’s time as a Committee member started 38 years ago and since then he has held the positions of General Committee member, Fund raiser, Club Captain, Vice President Playing and he is now in his thirteenth year as Club President.

Vice President (Administration) – John Pettersen

Vice President (Finance) – Alan Skilton

 

Vice President (Playing) – Kevin Manson

 

Kevin Manson (49) lives in Tillicoultry.  He is a qualified rugby coach & currently is the Head Coach for the 1st XV.  He has coached all age groups of the Club from P4 up to U18.  He also formerly coached the Clackmannanshire Colts U18 side.  Kevin joined Hillfoots RFC in 1977 and never left.  He was part of the Hillfoots team that won the first U-16 Scottish cup in 1977 (now The Brewin Dolphin Schools cup).  He played a couple of times for Midlands District and Edinburgh Borderers.

Kevin has 2 sons, Craig and Gregor, who both play for the 1st XV.  Craig is also 1st XV team manager.

 Players’ Representative & Club Captain – Gavin Spowage

Gavin is the Club Captain & Captain of the 1st XV.  He returned to the club in 2008 after living out of the area for a few years.  Gavin plays No8 and is hoping to continue doing so for as long as his body allows him.  His role on the committee is to act as a representative of the players and to promote the interests of the club whenever possible.

Treasurer & Junior Convenor – Mike Power

Four years ago, Mike came to live in Dollar, the next Hillfoots town along from Tillicoultry.  He wanted somewhere local for his son to continue to play rugby and he found Hillfoots.  The only problem was that there was only a tiny Junior Section at that time.  So Mike got involved in the Club, joined the Committee and founded the 250 member Junior Section that Hillfoots enjoys today.  As well as being Junior Conveynor and a Junior Section Coach, Mike is Treasurer so he needs a head for numbers!  Luckily Mike run’s his own software business so he’s had lots of experience.  Mike plays for The Cast Tups on the left wing when his foot isn’t hurting.

Playing Secretary & Child Protection Officer – Alan Steele

 

Alan has been playing at Hillfoots for 14 years as a junior and senior member.  He currently plays for the 2nd XV as a second row (where he drops balls in the line outs).  In a few years he hopes to be old and unfit enough to join the ranks of the illustrious Cast Tups!  Alan works as a mental health and addictions treatment nurse in the Forth Valley area.

Alan’s Committee role is as the match, fixture and referee secretary for the Adult teams & the U18s.  This involves confirming and arranging home and away fixtures for the teams and liaising with the referees, catering, bar and coaching staff to make sure the club is organised and prepared to receive our visiting teams.

Alan is also The Child Protection Officer for the Junior Section of the club.  The Child Protection Officer’s role is to work with the Junior Convenor and coaches to make Hillfoots a safe place for children to play rugby – meaning that our facilities and coaches are fit to work with young people and to investigate any issues relating to child protection within the club.

Social & Club House Convenor – Stuart Gracie

 

Stuart has been a Hillfoots Club member for 25 years having played with the 1st XV, 2nd XV and The Cast Tups.  He retired from playing through injury 15 years ago.  Since then Stuart has been assisting the 1st XV as a touch judge, kitman, water carrier and gofor.  Stuart was involved with the Junior Section years ago and he enjoys the fact that many of those former kids are now playing in the  Hillfoots 1st XV.

Stuart’s position on the Committee is as Social & Clubhouse Convenor which involves organising and running the physical infrastructure of the building & facilities for the Club’s members.  Alongside colleagues in a sub – committee, Stuart ensures that building repairs, decoration and upgrades are done.

Fund Raising – Eddie Inglis

1st XV Manager & Press Relations – Craig Manson

 

Craig, 22, from Tillicoultry has played at the club at every age level since joining in P2. Currently a member of the 1st XV but out with a knee injury for a significent period of time. Acts as the 1st XV manager and assists on game days and at training. Craig also writes the weekly match reports for the local press and is active in press releases for the whole club.

Sponsorship – Fred Smith