Sandy Robertson

Friday 28th July 2017

Sandy at the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2014 (photo courtesy of Lesley McNicol)

It was with deep shock that all at scottishathletics learned earlier this week of the death of prominent athlete, educator and prominent coach, Sandy Robertson.

A very well-known figure around the community, Sandy was hugely-respected by athletes, officials, coaches and club volunteers who met him in a long career serving the sport.

Among those to pay tribute to him on our Twitter feed in the past few days have been the likes of Eilidh Doyle, Chris Bennett, Toni Minichiello – among many others. One of the descriptions often repeated has been ‘true gentleman’.

We offer our condolences to Sandy’s family and friends at this sad time.

Funeral details have now been confirmed and Sandy’s family have asked us to share those for his many friends in athletics:

Monday 7 August

1pm

Mortonhall Crematorium, Howden Hall Road, Edinburgh, EH16 6TX 

(Big chapel)

Here’s a personal tribute from Mark Munro, scottishathletics chief executive:

‘The sport of athletics in Scotland received some very sad news earlier in this week when we were informed of the passing of  Sandy (A.C.) Robertson. Sandy was a very well-known face, not only in Scotland but across the UK and many parts of the World.

‘There are very few people who will have touched and inspired as many young people (and older) in a lifetime, but Sandy was certainly one of those rare characters.

‘A former Scottish Champion and internationalist in hurdles, Scottish Schools Athletic Association President and coach and team manager, BAAB/UKA Master Coach and coach to numerous international athletes, innovative teacher, coach educator, mentor and all round gentleman.

‘Sandy helped hundreds of athletes over the years having coached/team managed at SIAB, UK Schools Games, European Schools, World Schools Championships and the Commonwealth Games in 1970 and 1986.

‘He was also the National Sports Coach for Malawi at the 1974 Christchurch Games, as well as the East African in Dar-es-Salaam, and the All African Games in Lagos.

‘Sandy was working very closely with the Development Team at scottishathletics up until very recently and was a UKA Level 4 coach in High Jump, Hurdles and Long Jump, and was one of only five Master Coaches appointed by the former BAAB in Scotland. A UKA Tutor, he wrote the SSAA’S ‘On your Marks’, as well as co-authoring UKA’s ‘Elevating Athletics’,  scottishathletics ‘Run, Jump and Throw’ and scottishathletics ‘Athletics Development Coaches Resource Pack’ & ‘Planning for Long Term Success in Scotland’, a series of lesson plans for Development Coaches.

‘He was a principal teacher of P.E. for 30 years.

‘Both Sandy and his wife Evelyn were a unique and inspirational force within athletics in Scotland and Sandy in particular was also a very passionate supporter and led the cause for greater investment and support into multi-events for many years.

‘A gentleman, an educator, he was one of the rare breed of coaches who could turn their hand to most events, Sandy Robertson will certainly be sorely missed.’

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Ewan Murray

Garscube Harriers have advised of the passing of Ewan Murray, a significant figure within the sport in the 1970s and 1980s. Ewan was 85 and had been suffering from cancer.

Funeral details are as follows:

Friday 4 August

3pm

Maryhill Crematorium, Glasgow

Condolences from all at scottishathletics to Ewan’s family and friends.

Tags: Combined Events, Mark Munro, Sandy Robertson, SIAB