Time to name your local hero

The Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards are entering their second decade - and this year The Ayrshire Post is right behind them.

We’re joining five- time Scotland’s Sports Personality of the Year winner Sir Andy Murray and also shining a light on those who keep sport alive in Scotland - the local heroes, local clubs and schools who are the heartbeat of their communities.

And we want to put them on stage alongside the icons they help create.

For every world and European champion, for every Katie Archibald on a bike or Elise Christie on skates, there’s a coach or a volunteer who has helped them earn that medal around their neck and achieve their dream. We want our readers to nominate not just Scotland’s major sporting stars, but their local hero. Nominations will be judged by an expert panel before the spectacular awards night in Glasgow on December 7 at Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow. Mel Young, chairman of sportscotland - the national agency for sport - said: “Right across Scotland there are dedicated people working hard in every community to put sport at the heart of society through our schools and clubs.

“The 11th Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards will give us an opportunity to celebrate not only the work of these community heroes, but also the sportspeople who compete on the world stage.

“We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the Scottish Sports Awards and I would urge anyone who is passionate about Scottish sport to nominate in as many categories as they can.”

Go to www. sundaymailsportsawards. co. uk or write to us at Scottish Sports Awards, Sunday Mail, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA.

If you’re nominating a local hero or your local club, tell us as much as you can about your nominee and why they deserve an award. Deadline is October 2.