A BORDERS sporting stalwart has been given a life membership by a Scottish organisation.

Galashiels man Rick Kenney – who was awarded an OBE for services to judo in 2020 – has helped Scottish ClubSport and its earlier versions for more than four decades.

And his dedication has now been rewarded with a life membership at the national agency for local sports councils.

Mr Kenney said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this recognition as a life member. Scottish ClubSport has played a significant role in my life and it’s a privilege to continue being part of its legacy. I look forward to contributing and supporting its growth in the future.”

It is the latest in a long of accolades for Mr Kenney. He was awarded a Borders Service to Sport Award in 2013, a Service to Sport Award by Live Borders in 2018, and the Special Achievement Award in 2023 by ClubSport Ettrick & Lauderdale.

He set up the first local sports council in Inverclyde in 1996 along with various funding programmes for talented athletes, support grants, free facility access and reduced rate eligibility schemes for clubs.

Mr Kenney, who is also a member of Galashiels Community Council, joined the Board of Scottish ClubSport (SCS) in 2014.

He chaired the SCS board for three years and led on the production of the Covid Support Fund for clubs and associated groups throughout 2020/21.

The Borderer also represented the organisation at the Cross Party Group on Sport at the Scottish Parliament for a number of years.

In 2017 Rick received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scottish Ethnic Minority Sports Association for his work with SCS.

Now finishing his time with SCS, Mr Kenney – who is still one of Scotland’s ‘well kent’ faces in sport – intends to carry on with his duties across the Borders with the four ClubSport groups and as chair of ClubSport Ettrick & Lauderdale.

He became chair of ClubSport Borders in 2014. The organisation leads the four Borders ClubSport groups, the Borders Elite Swim Team, the Athlete Support Programme and works alongside the Borders Disability Sports Group.

Mr Kenney set up the Borders Covid Grant Scheme throughout the pandemic period and helped save some clubs from disappearing.

He hopes to continue his work as a volunteer with ClubSport Borders for many more years.