Brothers Neil and Andrew Simpson have become the first winter sports athletes ever to be named Scottish Sportsperson of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Sports Awards.
A host of sporting stars, including medallists from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games attended the event which was hosted in partnership between Commonwealth Games Scotland and sportscotland for the first time. 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 Para Athlete of the Year, Neil and Andrew then put their names on the historic Lonsdale Trophy alongside past winners such as Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray and Dame Katherine Grainger. The pair won Super Combined silver at the World Championships in Norway in January 2022 before claiming Britain’s first male Paralympic gold on snow at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, triumphing in the men’s Super-G competition and also picking up a bronze in the Super Combined.
“It’s a huge honour to have been nominated for these two awards, never mind to actually win them, and a great way to cap off and amazing year for us both,” said Neil.
“It’s a fantastic way to end a fantastic year,” added Andrew. “At the start of the year we could never have believed any of this would happen so we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s supported us, especially GB Snowport, UK Sport and the sportscotland Institute of Sport.”
The Team GB Olympic women’s curling team of Eve Muirhead, Vicky Wright, Jen Dodds, Hailey Duff and Mili Smith took the Team award after defying the odds at Beijing 2022, winning their semi-final against defending champions Sweden before dominating the final to win a first Olympic curling title for Team GB in 20 years. A European title and top spot in the World ranking completed a season to remember.
David Murdoch took Coach of the Year having guided Scottish pairs to the Mixed Doubles World title in 2021 and 2022, Scotland’s men and women to gold at the European Championships and overseeing Team GB’s greatest ever Olympic curling success at Beijing 2022 as the women won gold and the men silver.
It was also a golden night for athletics as Jake Wightman and Laura Muir scooped the Male Athlete and Female Athlete of the Year titles respectively, with Eilish McColgan taking Sporting Moment of the Year for her memorable 10,000m victory at Birmingham 2022.
Jake’s sensational 1500m gold at the World Championships in Oregon, followed by medals at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, gave him the nod, as did Laura’s four medals from four major finals, including Commonwealth and European 1500m gold. Eilish won Sporting Moment of the Year, her incredible finish to hold off the challenge of Kenya’s Irine Cheptai securing the majority of the public vote.
Four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Dario Franchitti became the 99th inductee into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame. Franchitti, who retired in 2014, is one of British motor sport’s most successful drivers of all time.In contrast, at the start of her sporting career, Niamh Mitchell was the winner of the Sir Peter Heatly Trophy as Young Athlete of the Year following her historic win at the European Junior Boxing Championships, when she became the first Scottish female boxer ever to win gold at a major international event.
Individuals and organisations driving success at all levels of Scottish sport were also honoured, with Scottish Handball winning Sport Governing Body of the Year and Raza Sadiq named as Community Hero of the Year for his tireless work to promote diversity and inclusion with Active Life Club, while Falkirk Junior Bike Club took the Club Sport and Rosebank Primary School the School Sport Award. Driving a co-ordinated sustainability drive across a packed summer of golf, GEO Foundation were the inaugural winners of the Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award.
There was also a Special Recognition Award for Stewart Harris who retired this year after 16 years as Chief Executive of sportscotland.
Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Paul Bush OBE, said: “This has been a fantastic celebration of, not only a remarkable year of sporting achievement, but the perseverance of our athletes, sports and wider supporters through the challenges we’ve all faced over the last few years.
“It has been great to come together with sportscotland this year to jointly host a combined awards evening for the first time – working in partnership to celebrate sport across Scotland, from the successes on the global stage to the many local heroes who continue to go above and beyond to help Scottish sport to flourish.
“A huge thank you to our partners and sponsors, whose support has made this fantastic event possible.”
Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young MBE, said: “It has been another fantastic year for all levels of Scottish sport and we are delighted to once again celebrate the many successes of the past 12 months at the Scottish Sports Awards.
“Scottish athletes have continued to shine on the global stage including at the record-breaking Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games but these awards also pay testament to the incredible work being done in communities across the country to help create opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in sport.
“Each and every winner, and indeed the finalists, deserve to be recognised for their achievements.”
Close to 600 people joined the celebrations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, where the evening was hosted by highly respected sports broadcaster Andrew Cotter and award-winning TV presenter Jennifer Reoch, with funds raised for the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
2022 AWARD WINNERS
Scottish Sportsperson of the Year – Lonsdale Trophy: Neil Simpson MBE with Andrew Simpson MBE (skiing)
Male Athlete of the Year – sponsored by Bruntsfield Sports: Jake Wightman, (athletics)
Female Athlete of the Year – sponsored by QTV Sports: Laura Muir (athletics)
Para Athlete of the Year – sponsored by Eden Mill: Neil Simpson MBE with Andrew Simpson MBE (skiing)
Young Athlete of the Year – Sir Peter Heatly Trophy, sponsored by the Team Scotland Youth Trust: Niamh Mitchell (boxing)
Team of the Year: Team GB Olympic women’s curling team
Coach of the Year – sponsored by EICC: David Murdoch MBE(curling)
Sporting Moment of the Year: Eilish McColgan (athletics) Birmingham 2022 10,000m gold
Community Hero of the Year – sponsored by SAMH: Raza Sadiq (Active Life Club)
Governing Body of the Year – sponsored by Team Scotland: Scottish Handball
School Sport Award – sponsored by Young Scot: Rosebank Primary School
Club Sport Award – sponsored by sportscotland: Falkirk Junior Bike Club
Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: GEO Foundation
Hall of Fame – sponsored by Commonwealth Games Scotland: Dario Franchitti(motor sport)
Special Recognition Award: Stewart Harris (sportscotland)
With The Scottish Sports Awards just over a month away, Team Scotland, in partnership with sportscotland, is excited to announce the launch of the Sporting Moment of the Year 2022 public vote.
From the standout moments of Team Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games outside Scotland at Birmingham 2022 to gold on the global stage, both winter and summer, Scotland’s sporting stars have thrilled and inspired throughout the year in an impressive array of sports.
Eight 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.
Louise Christie’s silver-medal winning ‘Braveheart’ performance stole the show in Birmingham, as did Tyler Jolly’s record 11-second knock-out on his way to the boxing podium. Eilish McColgan winning 10,000m gold will live long in the memories of those who saw it, with Team Muirhead’s gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympic Games and Jake Wightman’s stunning World 1500m gold equally memorable. Laura Muir made it three medals from three majors with European gold, while Ross Murdoch coming back from retirement to win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal and Micky Yule bringing his daughter onto the podium after winning Commonwealth bronze at his third try left barely a dry eye in the house.
Each of these moments has made Scotland proud, but which deserves to take the title of Sporting Moment of the Year 2022?
Register your vote in our Online Poll
Voting will close at 12.00 noon on Monday 7 November with the winner to be revealed at The Scottish Sports Awards on Wednesday 7 December.
Team Scotland and sportscotland are delighted to reveal the shortlists for The Scottish Sports Awards 2022.
In a year packed with success at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other events at home and abroad, the competition will be fierce.
The winner of the Female, Male, Para-Athlete, Team and Young Athlete categories will contest for the overall title of Scotland’s Sportsperson of the Year. We will also welcome the latest inductee to the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, incorporated for the first time into the awards night.
Held at the prestigious Edinburgh International Conference Centre, guests will be treated to live entertainment and a three-course meal, as well as rubbing shoulders with the great and the good of Scottish Sport.
Proceeds from the night will be donated to the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
Shortlists – CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON EACH OF THE FINALISTS
Female Athlete of the Year: Sarah Adlington (Judo), Neah Evans (Cycling), Eilish McColgan (Athletics), Laura Muir (Athletics).
Male Athlete of the Year: Jack Carlin (Cycling), Sam Hickey (Boxing), Duncan Scott MBE, Jake Wightman.
Para Athlete of the Year: Stephen Clegg (Swimming), Sean Frame (Athletics), Neil Simpson MBE with Andrew Simpson MBE (Skiing), Neil Fachie OBE with Lewis Stewart (Cycling).
Young Athlete of the Year: Niamh Mitchell (Boxing), Kirsty Muir (Skiing), Katie Shanahan (Swimming), Toni Shaw (Swimming).
Team of the Year: Robert Barr, Sarah Jane Ewing, Melanie Inness, George Miller (Para Lawn Bowls); Garry Brown and Kevin Wallace; Rosemary Lenton and Pauline Wilson (Para Lawn Bowls); Greg Lobban and Rory Stewart (Squash); Eve Muirhead OBE, Jennifer Dodds MBE, Mili Smith MBE, Hailey Duff MBE, Vicky Drummond MBE (nee Wright) (Curling); James Heatly and Grace Reid (Diving).
Moment of the Year: Louise Christie’s silver-medal winning ‘Braveheart’ performance; Tyler Jolly’s 11-second knock-out at Birmingham 2022; Eilish McColgan winning 10,000m gold at Birmingham 2022; Team Muirhead’s gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympic Games; Laura Muir making it three medals from three majors with European gold; Ross Murdoch coming back from retirement to win a Commonwealth Games bronze medal; Jake Wightman becoming World Champion in Eugene; Micky Yule bringing his daughter onto the podium after winning Commonwealth bronze.
Coach of the Year: Bob Christie (Para Lawn Bowls), Craig McEvoy (Boxing), David Murdoch (Curling), Steve Tigg (Swimming).
Sport Governing Body Award: Scottish Cycling, Scottish Handball Association, Scottish Hockey, Scottish Squash.
Club Sport Award: Ayr United Women and Girls Club, Biggar Netball Club, Falkirk Junior Bike Club, Hamilton Judo Club.
School Sport Award: Arran High School, Balfron High School, Kirkcaldy High School, Rosebank Primary School.
Community Hero Award: Kiana Coutts, Graeme Doig, Graham Harvey, Raza Sadiq.
Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award: Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, Adventure Oban, GEO Foundation, Ullapool Community Sports Hub Feel Good Festival.
Tickets are now on sale for The Scottish Sports Awards 2022!
Hosted by Team Scotland and sportscotland at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Wednesday 7th December, the night will celebrate the best of Scottish Sport in 2022.
Guests will be treated to live entertainment and a three-course meal, as well as rubbing shoulders with the great and the good of Scottish Sport.
Tables of 10 are available for £975, with individual tickets on sale at £120. Proceeds from the night will be donated to the Team Scotland Youth Trust, who exist to support young Scottish athletes achieve their potential.
CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR TICKETS
Please contact scottishsportsawards@eventsair.visitscotland.com with any ticket sales questions.
Nominations
The nominations deadline has been extended, so you now have until 5pm on Monday 10th October to submit your nominations across 13 categories.
Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award
Sponsorship Packages
For more information on sponsorship packages, from category sponsors to bespoke supplier agreements, please contact Colin Millar – colin.millar@teamscotland.scot.
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.