Team Scotland Awards Archives - Page 8 of 8

Three individuals, whose leadership has inspired change in Scottish sport, have been named as finalists for Sports Leader of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 28 September. Ian Beattie (scottishathletics), Richard Thomas (Boxing Scotland) and Maureen McGonigle (Scottish Women in Sport) comprise the strong shortlist for the prestigious award, sponsored by Brand Oath.

As Chair of Scottish Athletics Ltd, Ian Beattie has led the organisation in a quite remarkable year across all sections of the business. Working closely with the Board, staff team and sport as a whole, he has provided clear leadership to refocus the organisation, implementing his brainchild ‘Perform When It Counts’ national strategy across the sport. Encompassing not just athletes but also coaches, officials, volunteers, parents and staff members, the past year has seen a massive growthin the sport with numerous successes from participation numbers, across club and coaching initiatives, to athlete performances including record numbers selected for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Also shortlisted for leading change at the helm of a Scottish governing body is the late RichardThomas. Prior to Richard’s appointment, Boxing Scotland was in turmoil, deemed ‘unfit for purpose’ and its key funding withheld. As Organisational Director and then as Chairman, he restructured the governing body which brought, not only international success in the ring for its elite boxers, but also a huge and much needed improvement in the sport’s standards of governance. As a result Boxing Scotland received the biggest funding increase of any Commonwealth sport for the 2015–2019 cycle as the sport continues to enjoy record growth and success. Prior to his sudden passing in March 2016, Richard’s input oversaw a total renaissance of the sport and laid the foundations that will see it prosper for many years to come.

Maureen McGonigle is the founder and CEO of Scottish Women in Sport. An organisation set up to educate the Scottish public, media and commercial investors on the role of sport in driving gender equality, SWIS specifically looks to increase the number of women who participate, coach and lead sport in Scotland. The International Women’s Day social media campaign #pledgeforparity and the second Scottish Women in Sport Conference, attended by over 150 leaders from local authorities, schools, clubs, businesses, politics and governing bodies, were highlights in 2016. Maureen has established SWIS as a lead organisation with policy makers, opinion formers and decision makers, bringing gender equality solutions to prominence.

Congratulating the finalists, Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “From an incredibly strong list of nominees our three finalists stood out for the positive impact they have made in their respective positions, leading transformative change and altering perceptions. This award highlights people whose unwavering commitment may otherwise go unnoticed but who are crucial role models of good leadership within Scottish sport. We’re proud to celebrate these inspirational leaders and the platform they have afforded to others to realise their ambitions.”

Category sponsor Brand Oath is a branding agency specialising in the design and production of high value, bespoke tender and bid documents for commercial organisations, particularly in the sports sector. The company’s impressive resume includes producing campaigns and materials for the successful London 2012 Olympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bids and recently were behind the development of the new Team Scotland brand.

Winners across all twelve categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 28 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Recognised for their success in driving participation, development and performance at all levels of Scottish sport, three organisations have been shortlisted for the title of Governing Body of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on Wednesday 28 September 2016.

Netball Scotland, scottishathletics and Boxing Scotland emerged as finalists from a strong list of nominees, in what has been a fantastic year for Scottish sport and are now vying to scoop the award sponsored by Bluefin Sport.

With the launch of a new, modern image and innovative programmes from recreational to international level, Netball Scotland are committed to raising the profile of the sport and inspiring players at all levels. Capitalising on interest following Glasgow 2014 has resulted in a staggering 60% increase in membership since Glasgow 2014, 35% in the past year alone. With initiatives like the Bounce Back to Netball adult recreational programme, the sport is reaching out to new audiences including bringing island and rural communities within the national programme.

At the elite level, the national team are now ranked inside the world top ten and a new national franchise, the Scottish Sirens, will join the top flight of the Vitality Netball Superleague next season which is being broadcast by Sky. Investment in age group performance has also seen record results at European level, with medals at the Netball Europe U17, U21 and Open Championships.

It has been also been a bumper year for scottishathletics with a raft of medals at World, European and Commonwealth events across all disciplines and age groups. The 15 Olympians selected for Rio 2016 comprise the largest Scottish representation for a century, with a further six athletes selected for the Paralympics Games which get underway this week.

Underpinning this success is the new national strategy ‘Perform When It Counts’ delivering the highest competition entry numbers since the 1970s with over 120,000 athletes participating in scottishathletics permit events over the past year. The strategy has also driven significantly increased membership of clubs and the recreational jogscotland programme, as well as the launch of eight new clubs and centres, catering for para-sport athletes, in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport. Along with innovative developments in coach and club development and the creation of an industry leading physical competency programme, scottishathletics is working hard to ensure that the success of 2016 is repeated in years to come.

With four medals from four athletes at the Commonwealth Youth Games last year, two medals at the European Youth Championships and a record six gold medals at the GB Elite Championships, Boxing Scotland have had much to celebrate performance wise over the past year.

Their commitment to club and coach development and to eliminating traditional barriers and prejudices, is perhaps even more impressive. The development of an online members’ portal has revolutionised the way clubs interact with the governing body, while in March, Boxing Scotland launched a new SQA accredited Level 1 coaching qualification. 59 coaches successfully completed the award in the first three months and will go directly into catering for growing membership numbers, including a phenomenal 38% increase in the number of registered female boxers. Committed to promoting equality, Boxing Scotland also has plans to expand on the successful Glasgow based ‘Knockout Boxing’, the first initiative to provide an open environment for the LGBT community to engage in the sport.

Paul Bush OBE, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Governing bodies sit at the heart of Scottish sport, putting in place pathways for athletes, coaches and officials from their very first contact with the sport through to achieving their aspirations at international level. Our three finalists stand out for their innovative approach and commitment to the development of their respective sports and we look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 28 September.”

Sponsor of the Governing Body of the Year Award, Bluefin Sport is one of the UK’s leading insurance brokers providing risk management and insurance solutions to the sports and leisure industry. Representing sporting organisations, including governing bodies, from grassroots through to the professional levels they provide independent advice, access to all leading insurers and the ability to design specialist insurance programmes to both organisations and high profile individuals.

Three of Scotland’s brightest sporting prospects have been named as finalists for the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy and the title of Young Athlete of the Year at the 2016 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 28 September. Swimmer Kathleen Dawson, boxer John Docherty and para-sport sprinter Maria Lyle are in the running to take the prestigious award sponsored by EDF Energy Renewables.

As finalists, they follow in the footsteps of some of Scotland’s current stars including 2015 winner, swimmer Duncan Scott, who recently returned from the Rio Olympics with two silver medals. The credentials of this year’s nominees suggest they all have an exciting future ahead.

At the European Swimming Championships in May, Kathleen Dawson became the first Scottish woman to break the one minute barrier in the 100m Backstroke as she lowered the Scottish record three times on route to winning the bronze medal. She went on to swim the lead off leg in the 4 x 100m medley relay, taking gold with her GB team mates. At the age of 18 she is now the Scottish record holder in all three backstroke events.

18 year old boxer John Docherty is recently returned from watching the action in Rio, where he was one of only two boxers chosen for Team GB’s Ambition programme for future Olympic prospects – just reward for a year in which he has amassed a collection of major championships medals. He took gold at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa and silver at the European Youth Championships before announcing his arrival at senior level by taking the Scottish title, silver at the British Championships and gold at elite international level in Belgrade.

At 16 years of age Maria Lyle has a track record that many senior athletes would be envious ofand is set to make her Paralympic Games debut in Rio. In 2015 she won silver medals in both the 100m and 200m T35 races at the IPC Athletics World Championships, adding gold in the 4x100m relay as Great Britain stormed to victory in a new world record. Most recently, she smashed her personal bests to take triple gold at the 2016 IPC European Championships. She took the 100m and 200m titles in European records and set another world record as part of the 4 x 100m relay squad. In Rio she will go up against Australian rival Isis Holt in one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the Paralympic Games.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The breadth and depth of nominations received for this award, and the wide range of sports represented, shows that the future of Scottish sport is in good hands. We have an incredibly strong line up in our three finalists. I congratulate them on their tremendous achievements over the past year and look forward to following their future successes.

Sponsor of the Young Athlete of the Year Award, EDF Energy Renewables, is an experienced wind farm developer and operator with sites spanning the length and breadth of the UK. They operate five sites in Scotland and, with several projects already consented or under construction, are committed to make a real contribution to the country’s targets for renewable energy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

CEO of EDF Energy Renewables, Matthieu Hue said: “We are delighted to support the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards and to sponsor the Young Athlete of the Year award. All the athletes have shown real dedication, strength and courage to achieve their dreams and are a real inspiration to us all. As a company, we are as committed to Scotland as they are.”

THE NATION’S FAVOURITE TEAM…
Team Scotland is a term that embodies the pride of a nation, as we come together in the pursuit of sporting excellence. Never before have the people who drive and achieve success at all levels been brought together for a single night of celebration and recognition – until now…

MAKE IT A DATE…
Mark your diary and join us for the first ever Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards, celebrating all that’s great about Scottish sport. This is also your chance to be part of the first official celebrations of Scots on Team GB and Paralympics GB as they return from Rio!

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER…
Be there for our brand new star studded awards ceremony when we will recognise the stunning achievements of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole of Scottish sport. A memorable night of inspiration and entertainment.

The action will build to a crescendo with the presentation of the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy, awarded to the best of the best – the 2016 Scottish Sportsperson of the year.

RECOGNISING SUCCESS…
Meet Scotland’s 2016 Olympians and Paralympians and enjoy a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about some of those spine tingling sporting moments that make our nation so proud.

NEXT STOP GOLD COAST…
Next stop for Team Scotland’s Commonwealth Games athletes will be Gold Coast 2018. Find out how we are building on the huge success of Glasgow 2014 and how you can get behind the team as we aim to have our best ever overseas Games.

DETAILS
When: Wednesday 28 September 2016

Where: Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)

What:

The impressive, world-class facilities at EICC will host this special evening of sporting celebrations, drinks reception, dinner and entertainment
Meet and greet opportunities with Scottish athletes from Rio 2016
Mingle with some of the biggest names in Scottish sport and business
Late bar for those who want to continue the celebrations

THE AWARDS
Male Athlete of the Year
Female Athlete of the Year
Para-Sport Athlete of the Year
Young Athlete of the Year – Sir Peter Heatly Trophy
Team of the Year
Sporting Moment of the Year
Sport Governing Body of the Year
Coach of the Year
Community Sport Hub/Club/School of the Year
Sports Leader of the Year
Legacy 2014
Team Scot of the Year
Top award – the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy for the 2016 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year

YOUR HOSTS
Enjoy an insight into the Olympic Games in Rio from Scotland’s very own Shirley Robertson OBE, double Olympic sailing gold medallist and TV presenter
Be entertained and guided through the evening by the legendary Scottish comedian and presenter Fred MacAulay

TICKETS
Book now to ensure you are part of the most inclusive sporting dinner of the year – £1,100 for a table of 10 or £120 per ticket.
Early bird discounts available to Scottish Governing Bodies of sport until 30 June – contact us for details.
To book contact call us on 01786 466480 or email info@cgcs.org.uk

NOMINATIONS
Nominations are NOW OPEN for the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards!

If you’re inspired by a star athlete, motivated by a great leader or proud of a sports group in your community, we want to know. Click here to nominate someone today and tell us why they should be rewarded for their success and the hard work behind the scenes.

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