MINETY Rugby Club’s director of coaching Cliff Garland will join the great and good of world sport at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award next month after winning the Unsung Hero accolade for the west region after transforming junior rugby in the village.

The 57-year-old has been coaching at the club, which now boasts more than 200 junior members, for more than 17 years and was surprised with the news of his award by BBC Points West in front of more than 100 players, ex-players, friends and family earlier this week.

The BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award has been running since 2003, recognising the achievements of people throughout the country.

The overall winner will come from 15 regional winners, including Garland, and will be announced on the night of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year programme, in Belfast, on December 20.

Garland said: “I just wanted to help out. We had lots of girls in the mini rugby teams but that provision ended at 12 so we decided we would do something about it and formed a girls’ team, and we’ve had quite a bit of success as a result, even as far as an England international.”

Junior division secretary and Academy coach Peter McAllister, a long-time colleague of Garland’s at Minety, said: “It’s so well deserved. He’s worked with all age groups, not only within our club but at county level.

“He’s passionate about rugby whether it be watching, coaching or player development. He’s encouraged so many parents and players to become fully qualified coaches.”