Killie Community Hero: Kieran McMaster

This month, The Killie Community is proud to shine the spotlight on someone whose energy, compassion and dedication is transforming lives across East Ayrshire.

Since 2015, Kieran has served as a Sports Mentor with East Ayrshire Council, showing young people that setbacks can be turned into strength. After narrowly missing out on a place in the 2014 Commonwealth Games boxing team, he could’ve stepped back, but instead, stepped up, choosing to channel his own experience into helping others.

Kieran’s work now reaches well beyond sport. He supports school pupils facing emotional regulation challenges, anxiety, and behavioural issues, using structured boxing sessions to build confidence, calm and control. In doing so, he gives them tools to manage triggers, to find staying power in the face of difficulties, and to see their potential beyond the classroom.

His commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Kieran has earned national recognition, winning sportscotland’s Young Coach of the Year Award in 2019, and becoming a finalist in the UK Coaching Awards among many remarkable coaches across Britain. But what truly stands out is the difference he makes every week.

Young boxers like Hugh “Shug” Clark, a Western District Champion and Scottish silver medallist, and Aaron Sarwar, multi-time Scottish & British champion and up-and-coming international representative, are living proof of Kieran’s mentorship in action.

Clubs and local services have also felt the impact, through the “Knives Down, Gloves Up” campaign, as Kieran helps steer young people away from danger and toward constructive paths.

Congratulations to Kieran on being named a Killie Community Hero.