The finalists have been revealed in ten hotly contested award categories, as anticipation continues to mount ahead of the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 3 October. From dozens of nominations received and thousands of votes cast in an online poll, the top contenders in the running for awards have been named.

A host of Scotland’s top athletes will be in attendance, and with ‘Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future the theme of the evening, the room will be packed with Scottish sporting stars from across the generations. They will be joined by leaders from the worlds of sport and business to celebrate a golden year for Scottish sport, recognising the stunning achievements of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole country. This special night of inspiration and entertainment will be hosted by respected television presenters Amy Irons and Dougie Vipond, with funds being raised for the Team Scotland Youth Trust as it celebrates 30 years of supporting young athletes.

Awarded to the individual athlete whose achievement represents excellence in sport at the highest level, winners of Male Athlete, Female Athlete, Para-Sport Athlete and Young Athlete of the Year will go forward with a chance to add their name to the historic Emirates Lonsdale Trophy as the 2019 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year. The winner will follow in the footsteps of past recipients including six-time winner, Sir Chris Hoy.

In the running is last year’s winner, swimmer Duncan Scott, who picked up where he left off in 2018 with individual bronze and a stunning relay leg to anchor Great Britain to gold at the World Championships. Boxer Josh Taylor, shooter Seonaid McIntosh and Para-Cycling duo Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham, all crowned World champions over the past 12 months, will also feature. They are joined by a host of other major championship medalists, including double European indoor champion Laura Muir and World Judo Championships bronze medallist Sally Conway.

Scotland’s emerging stars create a strong line-up of finalists for Young Athlete of the Year with World junior cycling champion Charlie Aldridge joined on the shortlist by six-time European Youth Olympics swimming medalist Katie Shanahan and boxer Vicky Glover, the first Scottish woman ever to win a European Championships medal with U22 bronze. Scotland’s team sports have also been in fine form over the last year, with Wheelchair Curling, Football, and Lawn Bowls represented on the shortlist for Team of the Year.

Also recognised are the grassroots organisations and individuals making a difference to Scottish sport. The standard of nominations for Governing Body of the Year, Community Hub, Club or School of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were particularly strong with tough decisions faced by the judging panel to narrow it down to just three finalists.

The Scottish public have also come out in force to vote for Scotland’s Sporting Moment of the Year in an online poll to decide which outstanding Scottish sporting performance over the last 12 months has captured the hearts of the nation. From a shortlist of six, the winner will be announced on Awards night.

As we honour Scotland’s sporting heroes, those who have worked behind the scenes to guide them to unprecedented success over the past 12 months will also step into the limelight, with outstanding candidates coaching at World Cups and World and European Championships named as finalists for Coach of the Year. Also to be recognised will be two inspirational contributors to Scottish sporting life in Team Scot of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair, Commonwealth Games Scotland, reflecting on the strength of nominees said: “2019 has been another phenomenal year for Scottish sport, with some truly historic achievements and our stars excelling at the highest level across a huge array of sports.

“From athletes performing at the highest level to the organisations helping people take their first steps into physical activity, the individuals and teams shortlisted represent the absolute pinnacle of achievement in sport. I look forward to celebrating with them at our very own Scottish Sporting ‘Oscars’, on what will be a memorable and inspirational evening.”

CATEGORY FINALISTS

Male Athlete of the Year – supported by Commonwealth Games Scotland

Jacob Adkin (Athletics)

Duncan Scott (Swimming)

Josh Taylor (Boxing)

Female Athlete of the Year – supported by QTV Sports

Sally Conway (Judo)

Seonaid McIntosh (Shooting)

Laura Muir (Athletics)

Para-Sport Athlete of the Year – supported by sportscotland

Neil Fachie with Matt Rotherham (Cycling)

Abbie McNally (Athletics)

Scott Quin (Swimming)

Team of the Year – supported by PSL Team Sports

Alex Marshall & Paul Foster (Lawn Bowls)

Scottish Wheelchair Curling

Scotland Women’s Football

Young Athlete of the Year – supported by The Park Practice

Charlie Aldridge (Cycling)

Vicky Glover (Boxing)

Katie Shanahan (Swimming)

Coach of the Year – supported by EICC

Shelley Kerr (Football)

Donald McIntosh (Shooting)

Andy Young (Athletics)

Volunteer of the Year – supported by J Thomson Colour Printers

Fiona Davidson (Athletics)

Willie McAulay (Shooting)

Bill Morrison Gardiner (LEAP Sports)

Community Hub / School / Club of the Year – supported by Active Scotland

Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club

Edinburgh Athletics Club

St Madoes Active Sports Hub

Governing Body of the Year – supported by Eden Mill

Cricket Scotland

Scottish Athletics

Scottish Disability Sport

Sporting Moment of the Year – supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments

Boxing: Josh Taylor becomes World Champion at the Hydro.

Football: Scotland Women celebrate World Cup qualification.

Athletics: Laura Muir storms to European Indoor 3,000m gold with an incredible last lap.

Rugby: Scotland’s incredible Calcutta Cup comeback

Swimming: Duncan Scott anchors GB to Medley Relay gold with second fastest freestyle leg of all-time.

Golf: Catriona Matthew leads Europe to dramatic Solheim Cup win at Gleneagles.