Swimpairup for awards

Perth City Swim Club is preparing to cheer on two of their stars at the Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards this month.

Rising talent Scott McLay is in the running to scoop Young Athlete of the Year while club coach Ann Dickson has been nominated for Coach of the Year.

It’s been a season to remember for McLay, who returned from the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas as Scotland’s most successful Youth Games athlete in history.

The former Strathallan student brought home three gold, one silver and one bronze. He also won bronze at the 2017 European Junior Championships as part of the mixed medley relay team.

Paul Bush, chairman of 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.”

Dickson, meanwhile, played a huge part in McLay’s success as head coach at Perth City Swim Club. She also continues to guide Olympic medallist Stephen Milne.

“Behind each of our international athletes is an outstanding coach,”Bush added. “And our three finalists represent the pinnacle of achievement, guiding their athletes to some of the most memorable Scottish sporting moments of the year.”

The Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on September 21.