In celebration of the successful Team Scotland Stars Awards, which saw a huge range of inspiring nominations and thousands of votes in online polls, Mark McGuire and Helping Hands Edinburgh have been named the recipients of special Judges’ Choice awards for their efforts over the lockdown period.
First launched in June of this year, Team Scotland Stars recognised those going above and beyond to help others through the Coronavirus pandemic, with a series of monthly awards which garnered huge support from the Scottish public. Each month a panel of judges whittled down the nominations to just four finalists in Individual and Group / Organisation categories, with the final decision coming down to a public vote.
The Judges’ Choice awards recognise two finalists whose achievements and dedication struck a chord with the panel over the three months.
In the Individual category this was Mark McGuire, a University of Stirling student and former Mountain Bike Cross Country athlete, who raised over £29,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of his best friend Ben Forsyth who passed away in 2018. He took on the incredible challenge of running 30 marathons in 30 days (a staggering 786 miles of running, taking just over 125 hours). Mark initially aimed to raise £500 and increase awareness for CRY, far surpassing his target. The money he raised will allow young adults and athletes to get screened for heart conditions they may not know they have.
He said: “It was amazing to raise so much money and awareness for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity very close to me. I never thought I’d raise nearly that amount! The support throughout the month was insane which kept me running and smiling. For sure the challenge was very tough physically and mentally though, with week one of the challenge being a shock to the body! My feet and knees did not enjoy week one. It means so much to me raising money for CRY which can fund heart screenings and support the charity.”
In the Group/Organisation category it was Helping Hands Edinburgh’s huge impact on their local community that caught the judges’ eye. Their People’s Free Food Program during the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered thousands of free cooked meals, survival packs of non-perishable food and toiletries, fresh fruit & veg boxes and recipe packs, providing people in housing schemes across Edinburgh with the means to cook nutritional meals. Free online keep fit classes and mental health videos, plus a Helping Hands Sports Club via the Strava App, are helping people to stay active. They have also delivered hundreds of new bikes to kids in need throughout Edinburgh, as well as running a recycle a bike initiative, supporting staying active and making healthy life choices.
Jim Slaven, Helping Hands Co-Founder said: “Thank you so much to Team Scotland and the judges for recognising the incredible hard work of our volunteers. Helping Hands strategy, which is based on creativity and collective action, continues to grow and deliver remarkable results in communities across Edinburgh. As Scotland’s biggest all-volunteer organisation, and rejecting all state funding, it is the time and effort of our volunteers that are central to our approach. So it is wonderful to see the positive outcomes we are delivering being recognised in this way.”
Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Our two Judges’ Choice winners stood out for their incredible commitment to helping others through difficult times and the recognition is truly deserved. A huge well done to all our other winners, finalists and nominees across the three months of these awards. They have highlighted just a snapshot of the ongoing support from athletes, clubs and organisations to individuals and communities in need across Scotland. It’s been inspiring to see the Scottish sporting community rising to the challenge in these unprecedented circumstances. These examples show just how important sport is in making a difference, not only to individuals, but to the fabric of Scottish life and how vital it is that that sport at all levels not only survives but thrives as we enter a new stage.”
Falkirk Junior Bike Club and Kevin Brooks from Nairn Boxing Club were named the first ever winners of a Team Scotland Stars award back in June, both inspiring others to stay active through the new reality of lockdown. FJBC’s impressive fundraising activities for a local hospice and innovative Cycling Passport scheme gave them the nod, while all were inspired by former Scots Guard Kevin, who kept training going for his boxers while caring for his autistic son, as well as using his own experiences battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to help others.
In July, Stenhousemuir FC topped the poll after coordinating one of the largest community initiatives in Scotland, still ongoing, involving almost 200 volunteers and providing support to 350 vulnerable households every week. In July’s Individual category Cartha Queens Park’s first team coach Thomas Davidson took the plaudits for his innovative ways of ensuring all players and club members were kept involved and engaged.
Gymnastics led the way in August with Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and Chris Chalk from Central Gymnastics Academy sweeping the top spots in group and individual categories respectively. Beacon impressed with their emphasis on the health and well-being of all their members, as well as a series of virtual competitions attracting entries from across Scotland as well as further afield, while Chris’s dedication and creativity stood out in building a new normal online and outdoors for members and non-members alike when facilities closed.
Once current restrictions have been lifted, all Team Scotland Stars winners will be invited to a Team Scotland event where they will presented with their award and receive the recognition they deserve.
Gymnastics led the way in August’s Team Scotland Stars awards with Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastic Club and Chris Chalk from Central Gymnastics Academy sweeping the top spots in group and individual categories respectively.
First launched in June of this year, Team Scotland Stars is a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through the Coronavirus pandemic. The response to the awards has been overwhelming with inspiring nominations and thousands voting in the online polls.
From an impressive list of deserving nominations, Beacon Rhythmic Gymnastics Club topped the public vote in the Group/Organisation category ahead of runners-up Edinburgh Hockey Club, Scottish Squash and a quartet of former Scotland rugby internationals who took to their bikes to raise money for charity.
Beacon have impressed throughout lockdown with their emphasis on the health and well-being of all their members. The club was quick to organise zoom sessions inclusively for novice, development and squad gymnasts as well as fun challenges, like recreate the fashion photo and recreate the gymnastics pose, which has been a huge emotional support with training facilities shut since March.
When the usual summer camp was not physically possible, they gave the replacement real meaning by holding a summer series of online zoom competitions. This also allowed the girls to see their friends, not just within their own club but from rhythmic clubs across Scotland. One of the competitions even attracted entries from England and Russia.
In the Individual category it was Cetral Gymnastics Academy head coach Chris Chalk who took the public vote and August’s Team Scotland Stars award.
Chris has worked tirelessly to help create a new normal for both members and non-members of Central Gymnastics Academy in Stirling, helping keep gymnasts and their family members stay active during lockdown. He came up with over 100 daily challenges to keep gymnasts motivated, developed weekly team meets via zoom so that gymnasts and parents could meet up and chat virtually and held four zoom classes weekly which saw over 140 gymnasts from all over Scotland, and as far away as Manchester, enjoy physical activity while they were unable to leave their house.
Chris also organised a virtual competition where gymnasts sent in home videos of their routines which Chris then sent to judges to be scored, as well as editing all the videos together and streaming the event on zoom for parents, gymnasts and family members to watch. Having also run outdoor sessions for 125 gymnasts, all free of charge, the club is now celebrating being back in the gym with government guidelines now allowing facilities to reopen. His dedication gave him the nod over runners-up Ross Ferguson, Rhoda Yaramoudi and Rod & Pauline Smith.
Huge congratulations to our winners and to all our finalists and nominees, it’s amazing to see the good work being done by the Scottish sporting community in the face of these unprecedented circumstances.
Stenhousemuir Football Club and Thomas Davidson, First Team Coach at Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club have been named as our Team Scotland Stars award winners for July.
First launched in June of this year, Team Scotland Stars is a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through the Coronavirus pandemic. The response to the awards has been overwhelming with inspiring nominations and thousands voting in the online polls.
From an impressive list of deserving nominations, Stenhousemuir FC topped the public vote in the Group/Organisation category ahead of runners-up Greenock Boxing Club, Edinburgh Athletic Club and West Lothian Gymnastics Club.
Stenhousemuir have coordinated one of the largest community initiatives in Scotland, involving almost 200 volunteers providing support to 350 vulnerable households every week. This includes shopping and prescription collection, the delivery of over 11,500 school lunches to children qualifying for free school meals, producing over 3,000 free home-cooked meals and 1,400 food parcels, a befriending group and library service.
Their effort has made a huge difference to their local community through these difficult times and the club now wants to continue to provide weekly services for vulnerable people on a permanent basis. Half the money raised from their weekly lottery goes towards safeguarding the club and the other half is being used to extend their community help service.
In the Individual category it was Cartha Queens Park’s first team coach Thomas Davidson who took the public vote and July’s Team Scotland Stars award.
Thomas has been a real innovator during lockdown, ensuring all players and club members have been kept involved and engaged. He created Cartha TV and kept all players involved by creating Clans that take part in weekly activities such as fitness challenges, Clan Come Dine With Me, and Clan Tik Toks. He has also worked hard to create Return to Play guidelines for the club to ensure that all the new protocols are understood and adhered to. His love for the club, attention to detail and care for player welfare gave him the nod over runners-up Mark McGuire, Hannah Miley and Richard Brickley.
Huge congratulations to our winners and to all our finalists and nominees, it’s amazing to see the good work being done by the Scottish sporting community in the face of these unprecedented circumstances.
Do you know an individual, group or organisation that deserves their moment in the limelight? Help us find the people making a real difference in these challenging times! Click here to nominate your choice for a Team Scotland Stars Award in August!
The bar has been raised once again as the Team Scotland Stars awards enter their second month with dozens of nominations from the Scottish sporting community. Four individuals and four organisations making an amazing contribution to raising funds, helping local communities and encouraging us all to stay active have been named as finalists for July and are now looking for your vote.
Our expert judging panel of former First Minister for Scotland Jack McConnell, Paralympic, World and Commonwealth champion cyclist Neil Fachie and Team Scotland Youth Trust Board Director, Ryan Carenduff had the difficult task of narrowing it down to just four in each of the two categories to go forward to the public vote.The overall winners will be revealed after voting closes on Friday 31 July.
From an impressive list of deserving nominations, Thomas Davidson from Cartha Queen’s Rugby Club, Richard Brickley from Disability Sport Fife, cyclist Mark McGuire and Team Scotland swimmer Hannah Miley are our individual finalists.
Find out more and vote for your choice in the Individual Category here.
The Group/Organisation category was equally hotly contested with Edinburgh Athletics Club, Stenhousemuir Football Club, Greenock Boxing Club and West Lothian Gymnastics Club standing out for their commitment to improving their communities’ physical and mental health and making a difference through fundraising.
Find out more and vote for your choice in the Group/Organisation Category here.
With the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic meaning that life is very different for all of us, Team Scotland Stars is a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through these difficult times.
The public vote for our July Team Scotland Stars will remain open until 23.59 on Friday 31 July. We look forward to presenting our winners with a digital award and, when it becomes possible for groups of people to come together, to welcoming them to a Team Scotland event where they can be presented with a physical prize and receive the recognition they deserve.
Read more about Team Scotland Stars here.
Falkirk Junior Bike Club and Kevin Brooks from Nairn Boxing Club have been named the first ever winners of a Team Scotland Stars award following thousands of votes cast in a public poll.
With the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic meaning that life is very different for all of us, Team Scotland Stars was launched as a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through these difficult times. The response to the awards has been overwhelming in its first month and our June winners are truly inspirational.
From an impressive list of deserving nominations, Nairn Boxing Club’s Kevin Brooks topped the public vote in the individual category ahead of runners-up James Cairns from Bishopton Military Fitness Club, Lothian Disability Sport Archery Co-ordinator Richard Vallis and City of Edinburgh Volleyball Development Officer Emma Waldie.
Former Scots Guard Kevin served for seven-and-a-half years while secretly battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and is drawing on the similarities of the current situation with his army days to help others. Head coach at Nairn Boxing Club, which he set up last year, he is now inspiring others to get into regular fitness routines with his virtual boxing training sessions using basic household items to create sessions without having to spend money on equipment.
Kevin is a full-time carer for his son who has severe autism and alongside his online boxing sessions his days are now filled with home schooling, exercising and shopping. He is also supporting and promoting the work of Poppyscotland, the charity that helped him and his family when he left the army and offers free training advice to former veterans.
“I feel privileged and honoured to be given such an award,” said Kevin. “I can’t believe the number of people that contacted me and my family to say how proud and happy they were that my volunteer work within boxing and my local community was being recognised.
“This award is for all boxing coaches, they all never give up in the pursuit of helping others. Each of them is working wonders in their local community, driven by the pure love of the sport and striving to make everyone, no matter their background, have a little happiness in their life via our beautiful sport.
“My family, Poppy Scotland and my entire community have helped me pursue my dream of helping others and I can’t thank them enough. To my wife – I love you – you’re amazing, my rock. And to my boxers and NBC members you’re simply the best. Thank you Team Scotland, you’re amazing and I’m sure you’ll bring back a record medal haul at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
In the Group or Organisation category Falkirk Junior Bike Club’s impressive fundraising activity and true community spirit won the hearts of the Scottish public and June Team Scotland Stars award.
The young members of Falkirk Junior Bike Club raised over £10,000 for the local Strathcarron hospice during the first few weeks of lockdown. Over the course of one day, the children cycled a leg of a 12-hour relay to raise funds, covering over 750 miles around Falkirk.
They have also created a cycling “passport” that is not only available to members but now available for free to all children who get in contact with the club. This fantastic community hub, keeping kids focused and connected at a really unsettling time, gave them the nod over runners-up Helping Hands Edinburgh, Boxing Scotland and West Lothian Fencing Club.
Huge congratulations to our winners and to all our finalists and nominees, it’s amazing to see the good work being done by the Scottish sporting community in the face of these unprecedented circumstances.
Do you know an individual, group or organisation that deserves their moment in the limelight? Help us find the people making a real difference in these challenging times! Click here to nominate your choice for a Team Scotland Stars Award in July!
Following dozens of nominations from the Scottish sporting community, four individuals and four organisations making an amazing contribution to raising funds, helping local communities and encouraging us all to stay active have been named as finalists for the newly launched Team Scotland Stars awards.
These inspirational finalists are now looking for your vote, with the overall winners to be revealed after voting closes on Sunday 28 June.
Our expert judging panel of former First Minister for Scotland, Jack McConnell, badminton star Kirsty Gilmour and Team Scotland Youth Trust Board Director, Denise Holmes had the difficult task of narrowing it down to just four in each of the two categories to go forward to the public vote.
From an impressive list of deserving nominations, Nairn Boxing Club’s Kevin Brooks, James Cairns from Bishopton Military Fitness Club, Lothian Disability Sport Archery Co-ordinator Richard Vallis and City of Edinburgh Volleyball Development Officer Emma Waldie, who represented Team Scotland at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, are our individual finalists.
Find out more and vote for your choice in the Individual Category here.
The Group/Organisation category was equally hotly contested with Boxing Scotland, Falkirk Junior Bike Club, Helping Hands Edinburgh and West Lothian Fencing Club standing out for their commitment to improving their communities’ physical and mental well-being.
Find out more and vote for your choice in the Group/Organisation Category here.
With the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic meaning that life is very different for all of us, Team Scotland Stars is a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through these difficult times.
The public vote for our June Team Scotland Stars will remain open until 23.59 on Sunday 28 June. We look forward to presenting our winners with a digital award and, when it becomes possible for groups of people to come together, to welcoming them to a Team Scotland event where they can be presented with a physical prize and receive the recognition they deserve.
Read more about Team Scotland Stars here.
With the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic meaning that life is very different for all of us, Team Scotland has today launched Team Scotland Stars, a monthly award to recognise those going above and beyond to help others through these difficult times.
Each month we’re asking for your nominations to help us celebrate the amazing contribution that Scottish sport is making to keeping spirits high, raising funds, helping local communities and encouraging us to be active. The sporting action might be on hold but the sporting community is still going strong.
Launching the awards initiative, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive, Jon Doig OBE said: “Scottish sport relies on countless hours from many different people who work incredibly hard to inspire and benefit others. While sport looks very different for all of us right now, that spirit of generosity is, if anything, even stronger with individuals raising huge sums for charity, groups and clubs helping the most vulnerable in their communities, and governing bodies, athletes and coaches working tirelessly to keep the nation active and communities engaged. We want to celebrate that spirit and we’re looking for your help to find, recognise and thank these stars.”
Who can I nominate?
Any Scottish individual, group or organisation with a connection to sport and/or using sport or physical activity to help others. If you know someone who has raised money through a physical challenge, someone with a sporting connection now working on the front line, a club with a great idea to support their community or anyone going above and beyond to make a difference for others, please let us know.
How will the winners be decided?
Each month we will share as many of these stories as we can on Team Scotland’s social media channels and the top entries in each category will be shortlisted as finalists by an expert judging panel. The shortlist will then go to public vote and the winners will be recognised with a digital award.
When it becomes possible for groups of people to come together, we look forward to welcoming all our winners to a Team Scotland event where they can be presented with a physical prize and receive the recognition they deserve.
Help us find the people making a real difference in these challenging times! Click here to nominate your choice for a Team Scotland Stars Award!
Other Ways to Help
The Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards has been the primary fundraising event in support of the Team Scotland Youth Trust, assisting the next generation of athletes realise their sporting ambitions and build life skills. Many are currently working to support their local communities at this time, while continuing to train in the absence of their usual facilities and face to face coaching support. As we look ahead to when sport returns they will need your help more than ever as they strive for selection and medal success.
With the Awards cancelled, this year, if you can, please think about supporting a future star with a donation to the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
Charity no: SC006246
The pride of Dundee, boxer Dick McTaggart won gold and silver at the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff and Melbourne, was the first British boxer to compete in three Olympiads and remains the only Scottish boxer to win Olympic gold. On Thursday 3 October he added to his accolades as he collected the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in Edinburgh.
A staunch supporter of the sport, Dick was in the stands supporting at the London 2012 Olympics and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, where he presented the medals in the Lightweight event, in which Team Scotland’s Charlie Flynn won gold. Charlie was on hand to return the favour, presenting the award alongside Minister of Sport and Public Health, Joe FitzPatrick MSP and CGF President and Team Scotland athlete in 1962, Dame Louise Martin.
“I’m surprised and shocked,” Dick said on receiving his award. “As a matter of fact I’m very happy and humbled. Nobody told me, it’s very nice. When they read my name out my wife said, ‘that’s you’ and I said, ‘I can’t go up there, I can hardly walk!’ But I made it and it was a huge honour, I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
The competitive spirit is still strong – the answer to the question of who would win a match between himself and Charlie if both were at the height of their powers was delivered with a huge grin – “Me, of course!”
The 83 year old also became something of a social media hit with his winner’s interview watched almost 50,000 times.
Having experienced close to a home crowd as he was crowned Commonwealth champion at the Cardiff 1958 Games, he says there’s nothing like it to spur you on to Commonwealth Gold.
He said: “The support at home is a huge factor for a fighter and when I competed in Cardiff it was a home crowd for me. To this day I still remember walking into the arena with everyone cheering my name. Nothing can match it and it does give you that edge.”
Dick was born to box. One of 18 children born in a tough neighbourhood in Dundee, the young fighter had to spar with his brothers. It stood them in good stead. The family had the honour of claiming the national boxing championship titles from all three forces. Dick was RAF champion for five years, his brother Peter Royal Navy champion and another brother was army champion.
At first he wasn’t selected to box for Scotland and boxed for England instead, but luckily Team Scotland finally noticed his talent and he brought home two Olympic medals for Team GB as well as two medals for Scotland as a lightweight amateur boxer at the Commonwealth Games.
He credits the discipline and fun Boxing offered with keeping him active and out of trouble.
He said: “Amateur boxing instils discipline and keeps kids off the streets. Since my success I’ve worked with many youngsters and some of my happiest memories are of when I was national coach for 12 years throughout the 80s and 90s.
“It felt like I could give something back and offer the next generation some of the benefits of my success. I saw the world, I travelled everywhere from Los Angeles, New Zealand, Canada, Australia. The opportunities sport offers are amazing, it’s not just about the competing but the training itself prepares you for anything in life.”
“We’re still doing well in Scotland, I think it’s harder now to win a gold medal. They need to be fit for a start, not 99% fit, they need to be 100% fit when they go into that ring, especially at a championship. If you want to win a gold you’ve got the be fit.”
Dick won 610 of his 634 fights throughout his career, sealing his place in Scotland’s Hall of Fame. He was also awarded an MBE for his dedication to his sport.
Following an outstanding season that saw her become the first British woman ever to win an individual ISSF World Championship title, Seonaid McIntosh added to her accolades, becoming the first shooter ever to lift the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy as 2019 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year, at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards.
With ‘Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future’ the theme of the night, the room was packed with Scottish sporting stars from across the generations and World, Olympic and Commonwealth champions rubbed shoulders with the stars of tomorrow. The evening was an inspirational celebration of their outstanding achievements, as well as the success of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole of Scottish sport.
After being named Female Athlete of the Year, Seonaid then put her name on the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy alongside past winners such as Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray and Dame Katherine Grainger. She made history last September by taking World Championships gold with a perfect last shot of 10.9 in the 50m Rifle Prone final, anchored Britain to their first ever team medal in this event and secured a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Quota Place for Team GB in the Rifle 3 Positions. At World Cups this year she won first ever medals for a British female athlete including silver and gold in 50m Rifle 3 Positions and silver in the 10m Air Rifle. A subsequent world record and rise to World and European No. 1 in the most recent rankings has capped a fantastic year.
Seonaid’s success came on a superb night for the McIntosh family, as Seonaid’s father and coach Donald McIntosh took the Coach of the Year award. Alongside Seonaid’s phenomenal record, Donald also coached elder daughter Jen to a fitting farewell performance as she won World Championships bronze in the Women’s Rifle Prone team event alongside Seonaid and Zoe Bruce before announcing her retirement from top level competition.
Emirates Lonsdale winner in 2018, Duncan Scott had another sensational year, which saw him claim World Championships bronze in the 200m Freestyle, making a strong anti-doping stand at the medal ceremony, before following up with the second fastest freestyle relay split of all time in the 4 x 100m Medley Relay. His incredible swim to come from over a second behind to anchor Great Britain to gold in European record time gave him the nod for Male Athlete of the Year. He topped an extremely strong shortlist, which included Boxing World Champion Josh Taylor and European Mountain Running Champion Jacob Adkin.
Cycling had a hugely successful night, boasting the winners of both Para-Sport Athlete and Young Athlete of the Year. Neil Fachie MBE, with pilot Matt Rotherham, took the Para-Sport award for the second year in succession after winning gold and silver at the World Para-Cycling Championships, despite a spectacular crash on the final bend of the Tandem B Sprint event. Their Sprint victory gave Neil an incredible 13th World Championship title.
In contrast, at the start of his sporting career, Charlie Aldridge was the winner of the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy as Young Athlete of the Year following his historic win at the World Junior Mountain Bike Championships. The first British male athlete ever to win gold and the rainbow jersey in the cross-country event, his journey back from major shoulder surgery to top the World Championships podium marked him out as a future star.
There were huge receptions for Josh Taylor and Lawn Bowls duo Alex Marshall MBE and Paul Foster MBE, popular winners of Sporting Moment of the Year and Team of the Year respectively. Josh’s brilliant win over previously unbeaten Ivan Baranchyk to lift the IBC World Super-Lightweight title, was the moment that captured the heart of the nation and majority of the public vote. Marshall and Foster’s World Indoor Championships gold and a strong showing at the Atlantic Rim Championships gave them the nod over Scotland Women’s Football and Scottish Wheelchair Curling for Team of the Year.
Olympic champion in 1956, Dick McTaggart MBE was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding Boxing career. His overall record was phenomenal, winning 610 of 634 amateur bouts, and encompassed Olympic gold and bronze, Commonwealth gold and silver and the European title. He remains Scotland’s only Olympic Boxing champion to date and has inspired countless others in the sport.
With beneficiary of the fundraising effort on the evening, the Team Scotland Youth Trust, celebrating its 30th birthday, it was fitting that Team Scot of the Year was awarded to Paul Morron MBE, whose incredibly generous contributions over the years have supported over 90 athlete financial awards across 18 sports. A remarkably humble man who has kept a low profile, the only benefit he has sought is the knowledge that he has helped each young person develop their potential.
Individuals and organisations driving success at all levels of Scottish sport were also honoured, with Scottish Athletics winning Sport Governing Body of the Year for the third time in four years and Bill Morrison Gardiner named as Volunteer of the Year for his fantastic work with LEAP Sports, while Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club took Community Hub, Club or School of the Year.
Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “This has been a fantastic celebration of what has been and continues to be a golden year for Scottish sport, as well as a chance to look back and recognise the inspirational achievements of previous generations who paved the way for today’s stars.
“A huge thank you to our partners and sponsors, whose support has made this fantastic event possible and enables us to properly recognise the achievements of the individuals, teams and organisations that help to put Scotland on the sporting map.
“There is much to look forward to before 2019 ends, not least Glasgow playing host to the European Short Course Swimming Championships in December, and of course in 2020 the eyes of the world will turn to Tokyo as it plays host to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. I am quite sure we will be celebrating our athletes’ achievements at these and other major events this time next year.”
Over 500 people joined the celebrations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, where the evening was hosted by highly respected TV presenters Amy Irons and Dougie Vipond, with funds raised for the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
2019 AWARD WINNERS
Scottish Sportsperson of the Year – Emirates Lonsdale Trophy: Seonaid McIntosh, Shooting
Male Athlete of the Year – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Duncan Scott, Swimming
Female Athlete of the Year – sponsored by QTV Sports: Seonaid McIntosh, Shooting
Para-Sport Athlete of the Year – sponsored by sportscotland: Neil Fachie MBE with Matt Rotherham, Para-Cycling
Young Athlete of the Year – Sir Peter Heatly Trophy, sponsored by The Park Practice: Charlie Aldridge, Cycling
Team of the Year – sponsored by PSL Team Sports: Alex Marshall MBE & Paul Foster MBE, Lawn Bowls
Coach of the Year – sponsored by EICC: Donald McIntosh, Shooting
Sporting Moment of the Year – sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments:
Josh Taylor
Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by J Thomson Colour Printers: Bill Morrison Gardiner, LEAP Sports
Governing Body of the Year – sponsored by Eden Mill: Scottish Athletics
Community Hub, Club or School of the Year – sponsored by Active Scotland: Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club
Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Dick McTaggart MBE, Boxing
Team Scot of the Year – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Paul Morron MBE
The finalists have been revealed in ten hotly contested award categories, as anticipation continues to mount ahead of the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 3 October. From dozens of nominations received and thousands of votes cast in an online poll, the top contenders in the running for awards have been named.
A host of Scotland’s top athletes will be in attendance, and with ‘Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future the theme of the evening, the room will be packed with Scottish sporting stars from across the generations. They will be joined by leaders from the worlds of sport and business to celebrate a golden year for Scottish sport, recognising the stunning achievements of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole country. This special night of inspiration and entertainment will be hosted by respected television presenters Amy Irons and Dougie Vipond, with funds being raised for the Team Scotland Youth Trust as it celebrates 30 years of supporting young athletes.
Awarded to the individual athlete whose achievement represents excellence in sport at the highest level, winners of Male Athlete, Female Athlete, Para-Sport Athlete and Young Athlete of the Year will go forward with a chance to add their name to the historic Emirates Lonsdale Trophy as the 2019 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year. The winner will follow in the footsteps of past recipients including six-time winner, Sir Chris Hoy.
In the running is last year’s winner, swimmer Duncan Scott, who picked up where he left off in 2018 with individual bronze and a stunning relay leg to anchor Great Britain to gold at the World Championships. Boxer Josh Taylor, shooter Seonaid McIntosh and Para-Cycling duo Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham, all crowned World champions over the past 12 months, will also feature. They are joined by a host of other major championship medalists, including double European indoor champion Laura Muir and World Judo Championships bronze medallist Sally Conway.
Scotland’s emerging stars create a strong line-up of finalists for Young Athlete of the Year with World junior cycling champion Charlie Aldridge joined on the shortlist by six-time European Youth Olympics swimming medalist Katie Shanahan and boxer Vicky Glover, the first Scottish woman ever to win a European Championships medal with U22 bronze. Scotland’s team sports have also been in fine form over the last year, with Wheelchair Curling, Football, and Lawn Bowls represented on the shortlist for Team of the Year.
Also recognised are the grassroots organisations and individuals making a difference to Scottish sport. The standard of nominations for Governing Body of the Year, Community Hub, Club or School of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were particularly strong with tough decisions faced by the judging panel to narrow it down to just three finalists.
The Scottish public have also come out in force to vote for Scotland’s Sporting Moment of the Year in an online poll to decide which outstanding Scottish sporting performance over the last 12 months has captured the hearts of the nation. From a shortlist of six, the winner will be announced on Awards night.
As we honour Scotland’s sporting heroes, those who have worked behind the scenes to guide them to unprecedented success over the past 12 months will also step into the limelight, with outstanding candidates coaching at World Cups and World and European Championships named as finalists for Coach of the Year. Also to be recognised will be two inspirational contributors to Scottish sporting life in Team Scot of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland, reflecting on the strength of nominees said: “2019 has been another phenomenal year for Scottish sport, with some truly historic achievements and our stars excelling at the highest level across a huge array of sports.
“From athletes performing at the highest level to the organisations helping people take their first steps into physical activity, the individuals and teams shortlisted represent the absolute pinnacle of achievement in sport. I look forward to celebrating with them at our very own Scottish Sporting ‘Oscars’, on what will be a memorable and inspirational evening.”
CATEGORY FINALISTS
Male Athlete of the Year – supported by Commonwealth Games Scotland
Jacob Adkin (Athletics)
Duncan Scott (Swimming)
Josh Taylor (Boxing)
Female Athlete of the Year – supported by QTV Sports
Sally Conway (Judo)
Seonaid McIntosh (Shooting)
Laura Muir (Athletics)
Para-Sport Athlete of the Year – supported by sportscotland
Neil Fachie with Matt Rotherham (Cycling)
Abbie McNally (Athletics)
Scott Quin (Swimming)
Team of the Year – supported by PSL Team Sports
Alex Marshall & Paul Foster (Lawn Bowls)
Scottish Wheelchair Curling
Scotland Women’s Football
Young Athlete of the Year – supported by The Park Practice
Charlie Aldridge (Cycling)
Vicky Glover (Boxing)
Katie Shanahan (Swimming)
Coach of the Year – supported by EICC
Shelley Kerr (Football)
Donald McIntosh (Shooting)
Andy Young (Athletics)
Volunteer of the Year – supported by J Thomson Colour Printers
Fiona Davidson (Athletics)
Willie McAulay (Shooting)
Bill Morrison Gardiner (LEAP Sports)
Community Hub / School / Club of the Year – supported by Active Scotland
Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club
Edinburgh Athletics Club
St Madoes Active Sports Hub
Governing Body of the Year – supported by Eden Mill
Cricket Scotland
Scottish Athletics
Scottish Disability Sport
Sporting Moment of the Year – supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments
Boxing: Josh Taylor becomes World Champion at the Hydro.
Football: Scotland Women celebrate World Cup qualification.
Athletics: Laura Muir storms to European Indoor 3,000m gold with an incredible last lap.
Rugby: Scotland’s incredible Calcutta Cup comeback
Swimming: Duncan Scott anchors GB to Medley Relay gold with second fastest freestyle leg of all-time.
Golf: Catriona Matthew leads Europe to dramatic Solheim Cup win at Gleneagles.