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 21 September.

Leslie Roy (Athletics), Richard Brickley MBE (Disability Sport) and Betty Scott (Live Borders) comprise a strong shortlist for the prestigious award.

Now in her fifth year as President of Scottish Athletics, Leslie Roy has spent countless hours over the past twelve months supporting athletes and volunteers at numerous events across Scotland and the UK. In addition to her role as President, Leslie has also Chaired Selection Timetabling Committees, taken on the role of Team Manager for the Celtic Games, represented Scotland on the UK Athletics Members Council, and coordinated the Youth Development League in Scotland. Leslie is currently also one of four General Team Managers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games giving up her free time and using her considerable experience to assist in Team Scotland’s preparations for the Gold Coast.

Overjoyed to be shortlisted as a finalist, Leslie said. “I love being involved in sport, especially athletics, and doing everything I can to help athletes and clubs achieve their best. The organisation, planning and preparation I do will hopefully enable an athlete to achieve a PB, a record or indeed get a standard to get to a major Games”.

Richard Brickley truly epitomises the spirit of volunteering, giving selflessly of his time, energy, passion and commitment to improving and continually developing the lives of everyone involved in disability sport in Scotland. Involved at a local, national and international level, Richard plays a major role as a volunteer within Disability Sport Fife, supports Scottish Disability Sport with his skills, knowledge and expertise, and is a driving force within classification and the wider reaches of disability sport at a global level.

“I am thrilled yet humbled to be short listed for the 2017 Team Scotland Volunteer of the Year Award, he said. “The past five decades have been exceptional and through the volunteering opportunities that have come my way I have met many exceptional individuals and enjoyed many unique experiences all over the world. I have been so fortunate and owe so much to Scottish Disability Sport in particular.”

A volunteer at Gala Cricket Club since the 1960s, Betty Scott continues to be a driving force for sport in the Scottish Borders. Ambassador to the newly formed Live Borders, she is passionate about disability sport, securing funding for a disability sports festival and campaigning for a full-time disability officer to create opportunities for Borders athletes.

A supporter of Gala RFC and volunteer at Gala Waverley Bowling club, Betty also keeps the local community up to date with what is going on in sport through social media.

Delighted by her nomination for Volunteer of the Year, Betty said: “I have been involved in many different sports as a volunteer, who are worth their weight in gold. It is a pleasure to be nominated at an event where sport is the big winner”.

Congratulating the three finalists, Paul Bush OBE, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of Scottish sport, from local initiatives right up to the international level. Our three finalists have shown outstanding commitment, devoting countless hours of their time to helping others reach their goals and recognition at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards is just reward for the positive change they have delivered. They have inspired not just the people they work with but also the wider sporting community in Scotland.”

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.