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 Thursday 21 September 2017.

Cricket Scotland are shortlisted for this award for the first time and take their place alongside the winners of this category last year, scottishathletics and fellow 2016 finalists Netball Scotland.

Netball Scotland has experienced a year of unprecedented growth in profile, reach, impact and development across the whole sport. From launching Scotland’s only national female sports team with a TV broadcast deal, to growing an already rapidly expanding membership through new community impact initiatives, it has been an incredibly successful year for the sport. Launched this year, the Sirens is the only Superleague team to actively drive change for female sport and has been recognised in both UK and Scottish Parliament for its work. The sport also celebrated their most successful international results across European and World Youth Cup competitions.

Chief Executive at Netball Scotland, Claire Nelson, said: “I am delighted that, for the second year running, Netball Scotland has been shortlisted as a finalist for Governing Body of the Year at the prestigious Team Scotland Awards. As a sport and organisation we are coming off the back of our biggest year to date. Netball in Scotland is on the rise and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon.

“At a time when it has never been more important for female sports organisations to lead the way in driving meaningful action using our powerful platforms, Netball Scotland is truly committed to #ChangingTheGame.”

Cricket Scotland continue to punch above its weight with the men’s and women’s sides ranked 11^th and 13^th respectively of the 106 recognised cricket nations of the world. The past 12 months have focussed on inclusion with the re-launch of the Beyond Boundaries charity (delivering the sport to girls and women, underprivileged children, disabled and ethnic minority groups), the introduction of a fully funded disability programme and the appointment of a West of Scotland Community Engagement Officer.

Excited to be shortlisted for the first time for this award, Chief Executive at Cricket Scotland, Malcolm Cannon, said: “Cricket Scotland is proud and delighted to have been short-listed for this prestigious award. The last two years have been an exciting and positive journey both on the field and in the boardroom while we inspire Scotland to play cricket.

“As one of Scotland’s most diverse sports, throughout the cricketing community there are enormous activity levels with great progress being made.  Our men’s team is currently ranked 11 in the world and our women 13 and we are recruiting large numbers into the game with our new entry and youth programmes.  Cricket Scotland wishes good luck to the other short-listed SGBs.”

Team Scotland Governing Body of the Year in 2016, scottishathletics continue to raise the bar with record numbers selected for the World Championships, records set at World, European, Commonwealth, British and Scottish level and over 120,000 athletes competing in Scottish Athletics events. They are also paving the way for wider inclusion with a new partnership between their recreational initiative Jog Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health, work with Leap Sports Scotland and Stonewall Scotland to support participation in athletics throughout the LGBT Community and a first ever permit event to include a third gender / non-binary category held in June.

Chief Executive Mark Munro said: “We are delighted that scottishathletics has been short listed for the National Governing Body of the Year Award for 2017 at the Team Scotland Awards. It is a great honour and privilege to be short listed again and recognises another fantastic year for the sport across all levels. It also recognises the efforts of our massive army of volunteers on the ground that make the sport happen 365 days of the year. I would also like to congratulate the other SGBs short listed and wish them all the best on the night”.

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 it is fantastic to see two of last year’s finalists back on the shortlist and raising the bar even higher in 2017. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our finalists at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards.”

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.