Team Scotland Awards Archives - Page 6 of 8

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.

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 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

After an incredible year for women’s sport in Scotland, three major championship medallists have been named as finalists for Female Athlete of the Year at the 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Finalist in 2016, cyclist Katie Archibald is in the running once again, alongside middle distance runner Laura Muir and short track speed skater Elise Christie, for the prestigious award sponsored by Brand Oath.

Olympic gold medallist in the Team Pursuit in August 2016, Katie was straight back on her bike, winning two gold and one silver at the European Championships in France in October. Her success has continued into 2017 with a first individual global title, winning the Omnium at the 2017 World Championships in Hong Kong.

Overall Diamond League winner over 1500m in 2016, Laura put in a stunning performance to win her first major championships medals at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade. Laura broke the 32-year-old championship best performance to win gold in the 1500m and followed up with a second gold, also with a new championship best, in the 3000m. She came agonisingly close to a medal at the World Championships in London, just seven hundredths from bronze in the 1500m, also finishing 6th in the 5,000m.

At the 2017 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam, Elise won gold in the 1000m and 1500m, also taking the overall World title – the first British and first European woman to do so. These titles came on the back of her superb form in late 2016, including breaking the World record over 500m in November.

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 Female Athlete of the Year Award, The Scottish Sun is the number one selling daily newspaper in Scotland. Sponsor of the Sporting Moment of the Year category in 2016, they continue their support of the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards with coverage of all finalists and winners in addition their sponsorship of the Female Athlete category.

Winners across all award categories will be crowned at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in a star-studded celebration of Scottish sport on 21 September at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Four of the biggest names in Scottish sport make up an incredibly strong shortlist for Male Athlete of the Year at the 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Winner of this award on three occasions, tennis ace Andy Murray is once again in the frame, alongside swimmer Duncan Scott, also a finalist in 2016. They are joined by boxer Josh Taylor and distance runner Callum Hawkins as the four go head to head for the prestigious award sponsored by Brand Oath.

Andy capped an outstanding 2016 by reaching the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in November, where he defeated Novak Djokovic to become World No.1, a ranking he held until mid-August 2017. Named by the International Tennis Federation as 2016 Men’s World Champion, Andy had an injury hit start to 2017 but regained his form when reaching the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Winner of Young Athlete of the Year on 2015, Duncan has gone from strength to strength in the senior ranks, coming away as a double 2017 World Championship medallist. He took a sensational gold alongside fellow Scot Stephen Milne and GB team mates Nick Grainger and James Guy in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay before going on to add a silver as part of the 4x100m Medley Relay quartet.

With ten wins from ten since turning professional in 2015, Josh lifted the Commonwealth super-lightweight title in October 2016, defeating England’s Dave Ryan with a fifth round stoppage. He put on another brilliant display against South African Warren Joubert in March to retain the title with the referee stepping in to end the contest in round six. He followed up with a superb defence of his title against England’s Ohara Davies in July, adding the WBC Silver Belt to his list of accolades.

Individual bronze and team gold medallist at the European Cross Country Championships in December, Callum started 2017 by becoming the first British athlete to beat Mo Farah for seven years when finishing second at the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country. He continued this rich vein of form, setting a new Scottish Half Marathon record in Japan in February. At the World Championships in London in August he put in the run of his life to take 4^th in the Marathon, equalling the best result ever by a British athlete.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The names on this shortlist show the strength of Scottish sport at the top level. Each of these athletes would be a worthy winner, representing the absolute pinnacle of achievement. I look forward to celebrating their many successes with them at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

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.

Bernie Shaw-Binns, Managing Director at Brand Oath said: “As part of our ongoing involvement with Team Scotland we are delighted to sponsor this award and congratulate all the finalists on their fantastic achievements this year.”

Inspiring performances at the highest level have landed three of Scotland’s top sporting names a chance to add to their accolades, named as finalists for Para-Sport Athlete of the Year at the 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Last year’s winner Gordon Reid is once again shortlisted and is joined by global champions of track and pool, Sammi Kinghorn and Danielle Joyce. The three will go head to head for the prestigious award sponsored by Team Scotland’s Systems Integration, BPS and IT Outsourcing partner, CGI.

Rio 2016 and reigning Wimbledon champion, Gordon reached the Wheelchair Doubles final of all four Grand Slams in 2017, winning three times. He took the Australian Open title in January and finished runner up at the French Open before going on to defend his Wimbledon doubles title in July. Most recently he and Hewett took the US Open title, with Gordon just missing out to Hewett in the Singles semi-finals.

A phenomenal season saw Sammi break World and European records in the T53 sprint events, she claimed her first global title with gold in a world record time in the 200m at the World Para-Athletics Championships in London. She went on to take bronze in the 400m, before capping a fantastic championships with a second gold, this time in the 100m. She now turns her attention to Gold Cost 2018 and is set to make her debut over the marathon distance in a bid to be selected for both 1500m and Marathon at her second Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland.

Following an incredible display at the Scottish Championships in December 2016 where she set five World short-course records in three days, Danielle was the star of the pool at the Deaflympics as she claimed four of the British team’s nine medals in an outstanding week in the Turkish city of Samsun. She took bronze on the opening night of competition as part of the Mixed 100m Freestyle Relay before going on to add two gold and a bronze in her individual events.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Scotland’s para-sport athletes have thrilled and inspired over the past 12 months and our three finalists represent the absolute pinnacle of achievement. I look forward to celebrating their many successes with them at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Sponsor of the Para-Sport Athlete of the Year Award for a second year, CGI is one of the world’s largest independent information technology and business process services firms, employing around 65,000 professionals across 40 countries. With around 300 people based in offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, CGI is ideally placed to serve Scotland’s key economic centres. They are proud to be the official Systems Integration, BPS and IT Outsourcing partner to Team Scotland.

Janine Bailey, Vice-President, UK Marketing & Communications at CGI said:

“As part of our ongoing involvement with Team Scotland, CGI are proud to once again support this award as a demonstration of our commitment to excellence and inclusiveness. Congratulations to all the finalists and I wish them the best of luck on the night.”

From double acts to multi-sport teams at major events, Scotland’s team sports have given the nation a lot to celebrate over the past year. From a lengthy list of nominations, three superb finalists have been shortlisted for the title of Team of the Year at the 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Scotland Women’s Football, Scotland Men’s Rugby Sevens and Celtic Football Club are vying for the prestigious award sponsored by PSL Team Sports and Canterbury of New Zealand.

Shortlisted for a second year in succession, the Scotland National Women’s Football team have had a standout 12 months. Following a successful qualifying campaign which saw them win seven of their eight games, they took their place at Euro 2017, their first ever major championship. Improving with each game throughout the group stages, they ended their campaign on a high with a 1-0 win over higher ranked Spain, missing out on progressing to the knockout stages by a single goal. The team now turn their attentions to qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

The first Scottish team to beat New Zealand in 112 years, delivering a breath-taking performance in the quarter-finals, Scotland Men’s Rugby Sevens stormed to a magnificent defence of their London 7s title. Buoyed by their historic win over the All Blacks, they beat USA with the final touch of the ball in the semi-final before triumphing over hosts England in the final. It capped a fantastic season which saw them qualify for both the World Cup in San Francisco and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

With a 2-1 win over Aberdeen to lift the Scottish Cup, Celtic FC completed the season unbeaten in domestic football to claim the fourth treble in their history. The first team to go an entire Scottish top-flight league season without a defeat since 1898–99, they took the Premiership title, League Cup and Scottish Cup with an overall record of 43 wins, 4 draws, and no defeats against domestic opponents.

Paul Bush, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Teamwork is at the heart of all Team Scotland activity, with our ‘One Team’, ethos at the Commonwealth Games and our close relationships with governing bodies, partners and sponsors. The finalists in this category represent the best of team working and their historic achievements are testament to this. I congratulate them all on their success and look forward to celebrating with them on what will be a memorable and inspirational night.”

PSL Team Sports, together with Canterbury of New Zealand, sponsor of the Team of the Year Award for a second year and Rennie Keith, Sales Director at PSL Team Sports is pleased to extend the already successful partnership between PSL, CCC and Team Scotland.

“We are delighted to support the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards and to sponsor the Team of the Year award,” he said.

“All the finalists have delivered unforgettable performances this year and are a real inspiration to us all. At PSL and Canterbury of New Zealand, we pride ourselves on our quality, value for money products and our partner services. Team Scotland is a valued partner having worked together to provide Team Wear since the Glasgow 2014 Games and we look forward to delivering quality and unique Team Wear for the Gold Coast Games in 2018. PSL and CCC have a strong relationship with many Scottish sports and are proud to develop innovative, eye catching ranges of Team and supporter products.’’

Three outstanding individuals have been named as finalists for Coach of the Year at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards, with Andy Young (Athletics), Ann Dickson (Swimming) and Donald McIntosh (Shooting) in the running for the prestigious award sponsored by the University of Stirling.

While Scotland’s star athletes thrill and inspire on the international stage, their success would not be possible without the dedication and expert knowledge of their coaches behind the scenes.

Andy is the personal coach to a host of Scottish and GB international athletes, with every athlete he has coached in the last three years improving their personal best performances – a phenomenal achievement in itself. Among his charges are record breakers Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie who between them have amassed three European titles and 19 European, Commonwealth, British & Scottish records this year.

Ann coaches at Perth Swimming Club where she trains swimmers from club through to international level. Most notably in 2017 she trained Stephen Milne to 2017 World Championship gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay and Scott McLay, who in the Bahamas became Team Scotland’s most successful ever Youth Games athlete with 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. All of Ann’s coaching success is achieved operating in a 25m pool.

As Scottish Smallbore Shooting, and until recently GB Rifle Coach, Donald’s most impressive success in 2017 has been with his daughters Seonaid and Jen McIntosh. Under Donald’s guidance they returned from the European Championships with an unprecedented three gold medals, each winning an individual European title before teaming up as two of the team of three that won the European Team event. Donald is a veteran of numerous Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland as both competitor and coach.

Congratulating the three finalists, Paul Bush OBE, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Behind each of our international athletes is an outstanding coach, and our three finalists represent the pinnacle of achievement, guiding their athletes to some of the most memorable Scottish sporting moments of the year. Recognition at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards is just reward for their huge contribution and I look forward to celebrating with them on 21 September.”

Sponsor of the Coach of the Year award, the University of Stirling is numbered among the top 50 new universities in the world and is designated as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. With athletes and coaches in many disciplines, including swimming, golf, tennis, football and triathlon nurtured in the University’s unique environment, in preparation for Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth competition, the University is recognised internationally for innovative research and teaching in sport and for success in developing sporting talent and improving performance.

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 2017 Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards on 21 September.

Swimmer Scott McLay, rising star of Canoe Sprint Ieuan James and last year’s winner of this category, Para-Athletics sprinter Maria Lyle are in the running to take the prestigious award sponsored by City Legacy Homes.

The future looks good for Scottish sport with a huge number of outstanding nominations received by our judges who had the difficult task of narrowing it down to a shortlist of just three. Each of our finalists has stepped up this year to perform in style on the international stage, following in the footsteps of some of Scotland’s current stars including two recent winners, swimmer Duncan Scott, a double World Championship medallist this year and Olympic Champion cyclist Katie Archibald.

Scott McLay returned from the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games as Scotland’s most successful Youth Games athlete in history, following an incredible few days in the pool. With three gold, one silver and one bronze he eclipsed the record set in 2011 by fellow swimmer Craig Benson. Scott also won bronze at the 2017 European Junior Championships as part of the Mixed Medley Relay team.

Maria is already a multiple World, European and Paralympic medallist at senior level, despite being just 17, and has no intentions of slowing down. Despite carrying an injury into the Para-Athletics World Championships in London, she raced to bronze in both the 100m and 200m in a display of sheer determination. She now has her sights set on next year’s Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Ieuan has had a rapid progression to the top of his sport in sprint canoeing after first competing internationally in 2016. In June he made a massive breakthrough, winning gold in the K1 200m event at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade. He then then went on to claim Britain’s first World Junior canoe sprint title for 22 years with gold in the K1 200m event at the World Junior Championships in Pitesti, Bulgaria.

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 is City Legacy Homes – a consortium of four Glasgow companies, CCG, Cruden, Mactaggart & Mickel and WH Malcolm, who developed the Athletes’ Village for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Delighted to see the number of young talents emerging in the wake of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, John Gallacher, Director of City Legacy Homes said:

“The Athletes’ Village has provided a lasting legacy for the East End of Glasgow and it’s been a privilege to play our part in one of the greatest projects that Scotland has ever delivered. We are thrilled to sponsor the Young Athlete of the Year Award and we congratulate all the finalists on their amazing accomplishments.”

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