LASSWADE ATHLETIC CLUB

Yesterday the club received the very sad news that Dave McConnell passed away on Monday night.

Dave became involved with Lasswade Athletics Club in 1984/85 after coming along to support his young niece. He was very enthusiastic and soon became involved in coaching, officiating and committee work which he continued throughout his life. Dave coached hurdles which was his favourite event and he was a dedicated and reliable coach, official and club member always involved in anything the club did and more than happy to volunteer whatever the task. Dave officiated at both local and national level and was involved in senior athletics to international level as part of the start team. Dave was a stalwart of his club and scottish athletics and will be sorely missed by his colleagues at all levels as well as countless athletes he coached over the years.

Since the announcement on our facebook page there have been many comments from athletes, coaches, officials and parents who had the priviledge of knowing Dave. He has clearly played an important role in the development of the club and the many young athletes he has coached and will be a huge loss to Lasswade AC and Scottish Athletics.

Our condolences to his family.

Details of funeral service to be announced.

Dave McConnell is one of Lasswade AC’s most longstanding coaches and is well known throughout Scottish athletics as both a coach and official.

Prior to the coronavirus Dave was at training Mondays and Thursdays with his group and officiated most weekends at events up and down the country. Over the past year due to Dave’s own health and the coronavirus he has had to take a bit more care and was therefore unable to return to coaching.

I have found out today that Dave is currently in the Western General Hospital and is having to self isolate for a second time as one of the patients in his ward tested positive for Covid19.

All at Lasswade AC wish Dave a speedy recovery and hope to see him back at the track over the coming months.

The club recently received the very sad news that former coach and official John Brash passed away earlier this week.

John Brash

John was involved with Lasswade AC for many years as both a coach, official and also as a parent as his son Martin was a member. John was seen regularly at training on Monday and Thursday nights where he collected subs and also coached. High Jumper, Robert Ferguson, was one of the athletes that John coached up to 2013 at which point he had won numerous Scottish Championships at age group level with a best jump at that point of 2.05. A credit to John and his coaching knowledge

John was also a qualified official and was a regular at events throughout the year both track and field and cross country competitions. In addition John and his wife Rebecca also found time to support club events preparing food for officials and volunteers who gave up their time to support Lasswade AC.

John was a great asset to the club and he took on many different roles happy to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed . He will be sadly missed by all at Lasswade AC.

Sincere condolences to Rebecca and family from all at Lasswade AC.