Team Scotland Awards Archives - Page 5 of 8

After an incredible year for women’s sport in Scotland, three major championship gold medallists have been named as finalists for Female Athlete of the Year at the 2018 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 13 September.

Finalist in both 2016 and 2017, cyclist Katie Archibald is in the running once again, alongside last year’s winner Laura Muir and diver Grace Reid, for the prestigious award sponsored by J Thomson Colour Printers.

Following World Championships gold and silver, Katie Archibald starred for Team Scotland in Gold Coast, winning Commonwealth Games gold in the Individual Pursuit and silver in the Points Race. In one of the most memorable nights of the Games her Pursuit gold came just 45 minutes before her brother, John, took silver in the men’s event. Despite breaking her collar bone in a fall in May, Katie also took Team Pursuit gold at the European Championships in Glasgow, her eleventh European title, as well as taking two silver medals.

“I’m delighted to be a finalist for this award,” said Katie. “In the year of the Commonwealth Games which is, of course, a big year for Scottish sport, I’m very proud.”

Recently crowned overall Diamond League champion in the 1500m for the second time, it’s been another stellar year for Laura Muir. After two medals at the World Indoor Championships, she broke the Scottish 1000m record while taking Birmingham Diamond League victory and took 1500m gold at the European Championships for her first ever outdoor major championship title. Even more impressive is that these achievements came in the year she also qualified as a veterinary surgeon, becoming Dr Laura Muir.

In Gold Coast Grace Reid took Scotland’s first diving gold medal for 60 years, and the first ever in the women’s events, when she took victory in the 1m Springboard. After five World Series medals and World Cup bronze, she snatched gold with her final dive in the 3m event at the European Championships, also taking silver in the 3m Mixed Synchro event, to cap a remarkable year.

“I am absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this award,” said Grace. “The level of sporting excellence in Scotland is unbelievable and I am honoured to be one of the finalists.”

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “All three finalists have thrilled and inspired over the past year with major championship medals and record-breaking performances. I congratulate them on their many successes and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports awards on 13 September.”

Sponsor of the Female Athlete of the Year Award, J Thomson Colour Printers is the market-leading print solutions provider in Scotland with a modern, technologically advanced manufacturing facility in Glasgow supported by offices in Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen. The company employs 130 people and supports over 1000 customers from all market sectors producing a wide range of products on a diverse range of substrates, all at the highest quality via its litho and digital processes.

Winners across all award categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 13 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Four standout performers make up an incredibly strong shortlist for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2018 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 13 September.

Last year’s winner, swimmer Duncan Scott, is once again in the frame after a phenomenal year, alongside lawn bowls legend Alex Marshall MBE, the 2014 winner. They are joined by cyclist Mark Stewart and middle-distance runner Jake Wightman as the four go head to head for the prestigious award sponsored by Brand Oath.

With six medals at Gold Coast 2018 Duncan Scott became Scotland’s most successful athlete at a single Commonwealth Games, his gold in the 100m Freestyle the undoubted highlight, as he touched ahead of multiple World Champion and four-time Olympic medallist Chad le Clos of South Africa. It was the first time a Scottish athlete has ever won this event and he was just four hundredths of a second outside the Games record. Three gold and one sliver, plus two Championship records at the European Championships in front of a home crowd in Glasgow rounded off an incredible few months for the 21 year old.

Alex Marshall also made history in Gold Coast, as a record-breaking fifth gold medal made him Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all-time ahead of sprinter Allan Wells and his own Pairs partner Paul Foster. Already a legend of the sport with four Commonwealth Games gold medals and multiple World titles, Alex took silver in the Pairs with Foster before the duo teamed up with Ronnie Duncan and Derek Oliver in the Fours to go one better. The final will go down as one of the most exciting matches at the Games, as Scotland beat Australia 15-13.

Having won bronze at the 2018 World Championships in the Points Race, Mark Stewart attacked the same event at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold and beating five-time World Champion Cameron Mayer in the process. One of the most memorable races of the Games, his exhaustion at the end of race showed all those watching the sheer commitment involved in the biggest win of his career, helped from his bike and collapsing in the infield having emptied his energy reserves. He was also a double medallist at the World Cup in Canada with silver in the Points Race and bronze in the Madison.

One of only a few Scottish athletes to do the Commonwealth Games and European Championships medal double with bronze medals at both events, Jake Wightman is a rising star of British athletics and is maturing into an absolutely world class athlete. In Gold Coast he overcame the disappointment of an agonisingly close 4th place finish in the 800m to claim his place on the podium with a stunning run in the 1500m final. At the European Championships in Berlin he put in another brilliant performance and was just a fraction of a second from European gold. A World Indoor Championships finalist, he also broke the long standing Scottish 1000m record, set in 1984.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “All three finalists have excelled on the international stage and each would be a worthy winner of this award. I congratulate them on their success and look forward to celebrating their achievements on what will be a memorable and inspirational night.”

Sponsor of the Male Athlete of the Year Award, Brand Oath is a branding agency with a distinctive track record. Their skills have been honed in the high pressure and deeply scrutinised world of international sports and major events branding. They combine the positive values associated with honest sporting endeavour with design and branding experience to provide you with that competitive edge that could be the difference between winning and losing. Whichever sector you operate in, whether that’s within the sports arena or outside it, you operate in a competitive world, prepare to win with Brand Oath.

From the thousands of volunteers who give selflessly of their time at all levels of sport in Scotland, three inspiring individuals have been named as finalists for Volunteer of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on Thursday 13 September. Kamil Cybulski (Basketball), Janice Eaglesham (Disability Sport) and Jim Hay (Squash) comprise a strong shortlist for the prestigious award supported by QTV Sports.

Kamil Cybulski, at the age of just 18, has taken the initiative to do something to help his community, starting up the Glasgow Devils Basketball Club and running the entire club on his own for the first six months. His leadership and enthusiasm inspired people and attracted enough players for two teams, one of which competed in the league and took 3rd place. Kamil also delivers four basketball and fitness sessions per week at the University of Glasgow, and helped implement their first ever strength and conditioning programme on top of two league games per week, his Glasgow Devils commitments, a full time HND course in Sports Coaching and part time job. He has also twice volunteered as a Sparta Camp team leader in Estonia, where his leadership skills and positive attitude helped his team win the overall competition on both occasions.

Delighted to be a finalist, Kamil said: “Being shortlisted for this award makes my work feel recognised and it’s an indication of making positive impact through sport on the communities I work within.”

Janice Eaglesham epitomises the spirit of volunteering and her dedication, commitment and generosity of time and effort to sport at a local and national over three decades is inspiring. Her introduction to volunteering was in 1977 as a guide runner to a visually impaired athlete and by 1985 she was volunteering at Special Olympics events. In 1990 Janice, with her husband Ian, developed the Red Star Athletics Club for athletes with a disability. Janice has coached twice a week since its inception as well as fulfilling many other vital roles within the club’s administration and management. In 2010, she became a board member of Scottish Disability Sport and in 2014, she became the Chair.

Janice has taken on diverse roles and responsibilities within sport which demonstrates her skills, knowledge and expertise as a volunteer and her determination and enthusiasm to make a difference to participants with a disability. The sport of Race Running made its debut at the WPA European Games held just last week and Janice was at the forefront as coach and team manager as Scottish athletes claimed multiple medals.

“It is an honour and privilege to be nominated for this award,” said Janice. “The profile of sport for participants and performers with a disability continues to grow and I would like to pay tribute to all the athletes I have had the pleasure of working with over the years.”

Jim Hay has led the sport of Squash for five years, working long hours and investing a great deal of his own resource to drive a new and positive culture with a focus on teamwork, respect and partnership working. During this time Scottish Squash achieved its first medals for 17 years including World Doubles gold and silver, European Team Bronze and this year Scotland’s women also won promotion to the top flight of European Competition. Jim has been selected to work on the World Squash Federation Ethics Committee, ensuring best practice and quality delivery at the highest level of the sport and has also driven a campaign to attract new referees into the sport and train, support and mentor them using the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 as an inspiration. Under Jim’s leadership Scottish Squash has enhanced its Governance structures, achieved new sponsorship, built new partnerships and are now respected at World and European level as well as nationally.

“I am surprised but honoured to be nominated,” said Jim. “I feel privileged to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.”

Congratulating the three finalists, Paul Bush OBE, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Scottish sport relies on countless hours dedicated by volunteers, from local initiatives right up to the international level. Our three finalists show the true diversity of work carried out by these selfless individuals across the country and their outstanding commitment to helping others reach their goals deserves recognition. Through the positive change they have delivered, they have inspired not just the people they work with but also the wider sporting community in Scotland.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by QTV Sports, one of the UK’s leading producers of sports content. Working with over fifty rights-holders in 25 countries, they deliver a range of production and digital content services, with partners including over a dozen international federations including cricket, hockey, archery, bowls and curling. They also pursue a local ambition to diversify coverage of Scottish sport and are well established as a broadcast and digital media partner in many Scottish sports, including badminton, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rugby, swimming, and tennis.

With the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards just two weeks away, Commonwealth Games Scotland, in partnership with the Aberdeen Standard Investments, is excited to announce the launch of the Sporting Moment of the Year 2018 public vote.

VOTE HERE

History makers, passion, emotion, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat – From Scotland’s historic victory over England in one-day international cricket, to Laura Muir storming away from the field to take European Championships gold, Scotland’s sporting stars have thrilled and inspired throughout the year in an impressive array of sports.

Seven top Scottish sporting moments have been shortlisted by our judges, with the winner to be determined by an online public vote. The award will go to the sporting performance over the last 12 months that has captured the hearts of the nation.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games provided a wealth of memories from beginning to end with triathlete Marc Austin set the tone with a magnificent performance to beat both Brownlee brothers and take Scotland’s first medal of the Games and on the final day our bowlers were dancing on the greens as the Men’s Fours struck gold in the most dramatic fashion.

Mark Stewart’s stunning Points Race win over five-time World Champion Cameron Meyer, Duncan Scott’s incredible finish to win 100m Freestyle gold and Grace Reid’s reaction to winning Scotland’s first ever women’s diving gold were also among the highlights.

Each of these moments has made Scotland proud, but which deserves to take the title of Sporting Moment of the Year 2018?

Voting will close at 23.59 on Sunday 9 September with the winner to be revealed at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on Thursday 13 September.

Recognised for their extraordinary dedication to their local communities, three of Scotland’s top performing sporting initiatives have been named as finalists for Community Hub, Club or School of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 13 September.

Awarded to the Community Sport Hub, Club or School which has made the most progress and impact on their community over the last year, the award attracted dozens of nominations across a wide range of sporting pursuits and from every region of Scotland. Impressing the judges with their innovation and ambition, SAPC Community Sports Hub, Tryst Community Sports Hub & Larbert High School and Team East Lothian Athletics Club will now go head to head for the top award supported by Active Scotland.

SAPC Community Sports Hub was created to provide free sport, help embrace diversity and improve the lives of young people and their families in and around Darnley, Greater Pollok and the surrounding areas of Glasgow South. The hub promotes healthy lifestyles and aims to reduce nuisance crime, isolation and negative behaviours through community engagement in sport. There is a big emphasis on creating opportunities, particularly for young people, with half of the committee aged 18 years or under.

In 2017 and 2018, the Hub delivered two fantastic EU Erasmus+ Sport projects involving 1600 participants in Glasgow and SAPC volunteers also visited Italy and Romania to lend their support to other events within the programme. The hub delivered free sport sessions to 500 participants during schools ‘health week’ and the Pro Community Festival, as well as more than doubling membership of their Netball club to 70 participants. New introductions have included four weekly multi-sport clubs for girls, family cycling, football fives for 12-17 years & Bounce Back to Netball that has enabled the hub to significantly increase weekly user activity.

Tom Buik, Founder of the SAPC Hub said: SAPC is honoured to be shortlisted at the ‘World Cup’ of Scottish sport awards. It is fabulous recognition for all our partners and volunteers. Our approach is simple but effective – bringing people together through sport.”

Tryst Community Sports Hub and Larbert High School are key partners, intertwined in providing pathways for over 4,500 young people. Their motto ‘For Young People by Young People’ allows the programme to thrive, utilising young people as leaders and role models in the local community. Their award winning pupil leadership programme has resulted in over 200 young people achieving coaching or leadership qualifications and putting these into action, with Larbert High School pupils delivering holiday camps to over 750 participants and leading the P5 swimming programme as qualified swim coaches and lifeguards.

Sport has become a way of life in the local community with 76% of young people involved in extra-curricular activity across 20 affiliated clubs, and there has been a 10 fold increase in girls’ participation. In addition, four ‘Schools of Sport’ have been set up including Wheelchair Basketball and over 2000 voluntary hours have been logged in the last year.

Jon Reid, Rector at Larbert High School, said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for this prestigious award and delighted that the phenomenal work carried out by our staff, young people and team of volunteers is being recognised. We have worked really hard over the last few years to further embed the work of the Hub within our school and local community and are very proud of the significant pathways, coaching and leadership opportunities available to our young people. Hundreds of young people benefit on a weekly basis from our joint efforts and our drive and determination to keep going is fuelled by our core belief that mental, social, emotional and physical wellbeing should be at the centre of everything that we do as a school and as a Hub.”

Team East Lothian Athletics Club are a unique, successful and modern athletics club delivering diverse athletics and physical activity opportunities to an increasingly wide audience. In the last 12 months a targeted approach has included introduction of a disability section and full integration of these athletes into training and events; an adult recreational running programme; a junior athletics programme delivered in seven communities in East Lothian involving over 120 youngsters on a weekly basis and including pre-school aged children for the first time; an athletics camp and programme for Looked After Children (Foster & Care Home); an Access Fund especially targeting those facing social barriers helping them to get involved in physical activity and sport; and training targeted at young people with a wider local workforce development programme for officials, coaches and volunteers.

In performance terms the club have multiple district, national and international medallists and representatives – leading the way is Maria Lyle who has recently added gold at the European Championships to medals at both the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and the World Athletics Para Championships in 2017. Additionally Team East Lothian now deliver their own year round events programme for their members and the Club links directly to schools events and activity, providing a clear pathway.

Chairman of Team East Lothian, Graham McPheat, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Team East Lothian Athletics Club is shortlisted for a Team Scotland Award. Team East Lothian aims to inspire, engage and support our whole community to improve health and wellbeing through athletics. Being shortlisted gives us a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the work the club does and promote sport as a vehicle for change.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Community Hubs, clubs and schools play a vital role right at the heart of Scottish sport, making a huge contribution to the nation’s health and well-being as well as providing a clear path into recreational and competitive sport. The phenomenal dedication of our finalists to their communities deserves recognition and they should be rightly proud of their achievements over the past year.”

The Community Hub, Club or School of the Year award is supported by The Scottish Government’s Active Scotland Division, whose aims include encouraging and enabling an active lifestyle for all, supporting well-being and resilience in communities and improving opportunities to participate, progress and achieve in sport.

Winners across all categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 13 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The Scottish Government’s Active Scotland Division are backing the prestigious Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards as category sponsor of the Community Hub, Club or School of the Year, as momentum builds towards the glittering Awards Ceremony on 13 September.

Recognising the hubs, clubs and schools making a real impact in their communities, the category is one of 13 important awards presented on the night, with the work these organisations do vital to the aims of Active Scotland.

Andy Sinclair, Head of Delivery, Active Scotland said “Last year’s ceremony gave us the opportunity to showcase the incredibly talented and inspirational individuals across the country achieving so much in sport. It’s fantastic that we are able to support the Team Scotland Awards again this year.”

Drumchapel Community Sport Hub were winners in this category last year and the strength of nominations received this year is going to make it a very difficult task once again for the judging panel to decide their successor.

While the nomination process for Community Hub, Club or School of the Year is now closed for 2018, nominations for several award categories remain open – visit the Nomination Page to submit your choice in any of these categories.

The Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on Thursday 13 September with medallists from Team Scotland’s record overseas medal haul at Gold Coast 2018, Pyeonchang 2018 Winter Olympians and Paralympians and leaders of sport and business on the 600-strong guest list.

For more information on the 2018 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards visit www.teamscotland.scot/events/team-scotland-sports-awards/

With just a week to go until nominations close for Volunteer of the Year, Hub, Club or School of the Year and Governing Body of the Year, now is the time to nominate your Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards 2018 winners and make sure your choice gets the recognition they deserve.

Nominate Here

The Scottish public has come out in force and there has been a flood of nominations for outstanding performances by Scottish athletes, clubs and teams in what has already been a truly great year for Scottish sport.

But sport is not just about the medal moments and top stars. There are thousands of groups and volunteers across the country putting in countless hours to give people their first experience of sport, nurture future stars and provide vital services in the community. We want to recognise these behind the scenes heroes and time is running out with just a week to go until these categories close.

Make sure you let us know your choice by 23:59 on Tuesday 31 July and help us find the volunteers and organisations that are making a real difference in their community!

This is your chance to ensure the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes are recognised and have their moment in the limelight. Are you inspired by a dedicated volunteer or proud of a sports group in your community? Does your local school go above and beyond for its pupils? Nominate someone today and tell us why they should be rewarded for their success, dedication or impact on Scottish sport.

Once nominations close, those in the running will be passed to our expert judging panel and up to three finalists in each category will be short-listed and invited as guests of Team Scotland to the Awards – a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on Thursday 13 September 2018.

The Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards welcome some of the biggest names in Scottish Sport and business for a special evening of sporting celebrations. Guests will be expertly guided through the night by multi-award winning television presenter Hazel Irvine, whilst enjoying a drinks reception, dinner and entertainment. The event also gives back to the next generation with a major aim of the evening raising funds for the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust who support Scotland’s starts of the future.

Nominations for Male Athlete, Female Athlete, Para-Sport Athlete, Young Athlete, Coach and Team of the Year will close on 27 August.

Join us at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards – book online on our Awards Tickets page or contact us on Tel: 01786 466 480 or Email: info@teamscotland.scot

As the countdown continues to the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards 2018, an expert judging panel has been unveiled and face a tough task in choosing the top performances of the year following a record medal haul for Team Scotland at Gold Coast 2018, Scottish team and individual success across the globe and the excitement of a European Championships on home soil still to come.

Recognising outstanding achievement by the individuals, teams and organisations that put Scotland on the sporting map, 13 important award categories will be decided amidst a memorable night of inspiration and entertainment at the Awards in Edinburgh on 13 September.

Coming from across the world of sport, with a range of backgrounds in volunteering, community sport, coaching, high performance and media, the nine-strong judging panel will be ready to use their experience and knowledge of the sporting environment in Scotland to decide the finalists and winners when the two waves of nominations close on 31 July and 27 August.

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Paul Bush OBE, leads a panel which includes the expertise of former stars who have done the country proud at the highest level, alongside leaders in media, politics and high performance sport.

BBC Scotland sport and news presenter, Rhona McLeod and former First Minister for Scotland, Jack McConnell will weigh in alongside past sporting stars such as double Commonwealth Games Swimming gold medallist, Caitlin McClatchey; Scotland Rugby Sevens’ highest capped player and third highest points scorer of all-time, Colin Gregor and double Commonwealth Games medallist and World top-20 Badminton player, Susan Egelstaff.

Adding their expertise to the panel are Director of High Performance at the sportscotland Institute of Sport, Mike Whittingham, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Disability Sport, Gavin McLeod and Jaqueline Lynn, Head of School and Community Sport at sportscotland.

Excited to be able to call on the knowledge of such a strong judging panel, Paul Bush OBE said: “I am thrilled to be working with some of the most respected names in their fields as we embark on the search for the best of the best across Scottish sport. The Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards is a wonderful celebration of the dedication, commitment and talent that goes into the performances that inspire the nation and it is vitally important to choose judges with wide reaching experience across high performance, grassroots and community sport.”

Meet the judging panel on our dedicated page.

Nominations for all award categories, including Community Hub, Club or School of the Year, are now open – visit the Nomination Page to submit your choice in any of the categories.

For more information on the 2018 Awards, or to book your place, visit: www.teamscotland.scot/events/team-scotland-sports-awards/

Bookings and nominations for this year’s Team Scotland Scottish Sport Awards are now OPEN!

MAKE IT A DATE
This September make a date in your diary and join us at the world class EICC in Edinburgh for the ‘Scottish Sporting Oscars’. This year we will celebrate a golden year for Scottish sport including Team Scotland’s success at Gold Coast 2018 – our best ever medal tally at an overseas Commonwealth Games – and a host of top performances across the breadth of Scottish sport.

We will welcome some of the biggest names in Scottish Sport and business for a special evening of sporing celebrations, expertly guided through by multi-award winning television presenter Hazel Irvine. Whilst enjoying a drinks reception, dinner and entertainment you will be raising funds for Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust who support Scotland’s starts of the future.

THE AWARDS
Join us as 14 important award categories across individuals, schools, clubs and teams are decided, amidst a memorable night of inspiration and entertainment, building to a crescendo with the presentation of the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy, awarded to the best of the best – the 2018 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year.

Male Athlete of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year
Para-Sport Athlete of the Year
Team of the Year
Coach of the Year
Sporting Moment of the Year
Young Athlete of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Governing Body of the Year
Community Hub, Club or School of the Year
Games Legacy Award
Lifetime Achievement
Team Scot of the Year
Scottish Sportsperson of the Year

This year’s Awards take place on Thursday 13 September at the EICC, Edinburgh.

Visit here to book your tickets and here to nominate.

For any further information or if you are interested in sponsorship please contact Emma Milroy – Emma.Milroy@teamscotland.scot

Following an outstanding season that saw her break World and European records, triple World Para-Athletics Championships medallist Sammi Kinghorn added to her accolades as she lifted the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy as 2017 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year, at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in Edinburgh last night.

With a host of sporting stars, including medallists from the recent Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in attendance, 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.

The first para-sport athlete to take the top award of Scottish Sportsperson of the Year in its 15 year history, Sammi’s name joins past winners such as Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray and Dame Katherine Grainger on the trophy. After missing the podium at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the past year has seen Sammi on a phenomenal rise to the top of her sport, securing her first global titles. An inspiring culmination of her journey since the accident which left her paralysed at the age of 14, she broke her own World record to take gold over 200m at the World Para-Athletics Championships in London, going on to take a second gold in the 100m and bronze in the 400m. Since then her focus has turned to the road, coming second in her debut half marathon at the Great North Run, in a bid to gain selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the marathon as well as the T53/54 1500m on the track.

Sammi said: “When you see yourself up against great athletes like Danii Joyce and Gordon Reid, you don’t expect to win. It’s amazing to even be thought of as one of the best para-sport athletes in Scotland but to actually win is incredible, and then to win Scottish Sportsperson of the Year as well, that’s something I never thought of. To hold the trophy and Andy Murray’s name is on it and all the greats of Scottish sport, knowing that your name is going to be there too is really special.

I don’t think there’s been a para athlete that’s won it in the past, so be to be the first is pretty cool. It means the world to me to have my family and friends here tonight. To have the people there who have stood by you through all the hard times and all the good times, and to know that they’ll always be there for you, that’s really special.”

Sammi’s success came on a superb night for Athletics with double European Indoor Champion Laura Muir named Female Athlete of the Year and her coach Andy Young lifting the Coach of the Year award. Scottish Athletics also took the award for Sport Governing Body of the Year for the second year in succession, with record numbers selected for the World Championships, 120,000 athletes competing in permit events and great strides made in inclusion, propelling them to the title.

Duncan Scott’s gold and silver medal winning performances in the relays at the World Swimming Championships, along with magnificent swims for fourth and fifth place in his individual freestyle events, gave him the nod for Male Athlete of the Year over a strong shortlist which included 2016 winner Sir Andy Murray.

The Murray family did have an award winner however, with Judy Murray OBE named Team Scot of the Year in recognition of her relentless drive for equality in sport and an active lifestyle for all children. Behind the successful ‘Miss Hits’ and ‘She Rallies’ programmes to encourage female participation and leadership in Tennis, she is a powerful advocate for sport at all levels and the continuing need for investment.

There was a huge reception for boxer Josh Taylor, a popular winner of Sporting Moment of the Year, whose stunning win over the previously unbeaten Ohara Davies to defend his Commonwealth Title belt, was the moment that captured the heart of the nation and majority of the public vote.

Scotland’s leading points scorer of his generation, Rugby legend Gavin Hastings OBE was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of an outstanding playing career which saw him win 61 caps, including 20 as captain, and a wealth of charity and fundraising work since retirement from the international game. In contrast, just beginning his own career at 18 years old, World and European Junior Canoe Sprint champion Ieuan James was the winner of the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy as Young Athlete of the Year.

The Scotland Women’s Football national side took Team of the Year reflecting their successful Euro 2017 qualifying campaign which saw them win seven of their eight games and take their place at their first ever major international championship. There was also a Special Recognition Award for Celtic Football Club following their historic season which saw them unbeaten in domestic competition, winning the fourth treble in their history and becoming the first team to go an entire Scottish top-flight league season without a defeat since 1899.

Individuals and organisations driving success at all levels of Scottish sport were also honoured, with Richard Brickley MBE named as Volunteer of the Year for his work in disability sport, while Drumchapel Community Sports Hub and Active East’s Scottish Sports Futures took the Community Hub, Club or School and Games Legacy awards respectively.

There was also big news for golf fans, as Catriona Matthew MBE was announced as the European Team captain for the 2019 Solheim Cup.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “Following the launch of these awards in their new format last year, tonight’s event has raised the bar once again, as we celebrate what has been a truly outstanding year for Scottish sport.

“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.

“Looking forward, the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games are now just five months away, where many of these athletes will be aiming for medals. I wish them all the best with their final preparations and I am quite sure we will be celebrating their achievements this time next year.”

Over 500 people joined the celebrations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, where the evening was hosted by award winning TV presenter Hazel Irvine and comedian Fred MacAulay, with funds raised for the Scottish Commonwealth Games Youth Trust.

2017 AWARD WINNERS

Scottish Sportsperson of the Year – Emirates Lonsdale Trophy: Sammi Kinghorn, Para-Athletics

Male Athlete of the Year – sponsored by Brand Oath: Duncan Scott, Swimming

Female Athlete of the Year – sponsored by The Scottish Sun: Laura Muir, Athletics

Para-Sport Athlete of the Year – sponsored by CGI: Sammi Kinghorn, Para-Athletics

Team of the Year – sponsored by PSL / Canterbury: Scotland Women’s Football

Coach of the Year – sponsored by University of Stirling: Andy Young, Athletics

Sporting Moment of the Year – sponsored by Glasgow 2018 European Championships:

Josh Taylor defends his Commonwealth Title belt against England’s Ohara Davies

Young Athlete of the Year – Sir Peter Heatly Trophy, sponsored by City Legacy Homes: Ieuan James, Canoe Sprint

Volunteer of the Year – sponsored by Eden Mill: Richard Brickley MBE, Disability Sport

Governing Body of the Year – sponsored by Edinburgh International Conference Centre: Scottish Athletics

Community Hub, Club or School of the Year – sponsored by sportscotland: Drumchapel Community Sports Hub

Games Legacy Award – sponsored by Legacy 2014 / City Legacy Homes: Active East – Scottish Sports Futures

Lifetime Achievement – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Gavin Hastings OBE, Rugby

Team Scot of the Year – sponsored by Aberdeen Standard Investments: Judy Murray OBE, Tennis

Special Recognition Award – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Celtic Football Club

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