Fulllistof winners frombig awards
Crieff star edged out in exciting final as Katriona grabs women’s bronze
The Perth and Kinross Sports Awards were unable to be held at Dewars Centre last week due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But, after revealing skier Charlie Guest as sports personality of the year on Friday, the Perthshire Advertiser can now unveil the winners from all categories.
Organisers Live Active noted a record-breaking number of entries and highlighted the vast array of talent from the region shortlisted across a range of different sports.
Winners are: Sports person of the year – Charlie Guest (skiing); Young female sports person of the year – Cerys Cairns (netball); Young male sports person of the year – Charlie Aldridge (cycling); Disability sports person of the year – Matthew Doig (athletics); Club of the year – Kinross Netball Club; Coach of the year - Kevin Chisholm (volleyball); Young coach of the year – James Peaty (swimming); Volunteer of the year – Gillian Wallace (golf); Official of the year – Gordon Crawford (football); Chuck Hay team of the year – Perth Phoenix U16 girls basketball team; School team of the year – Perth High School cross country team; George Mortimer service to sport award – Alex Phillips (weightlifting).
●The PA will be featuring each winner in upcoming editions.
Perthshire squash players produced medal-winning performances in reaching the latter stages of the recent Scottish National Championship.
Crieff ’s Rory Stewart hit the heights once again before being beaten in the final by 10-time winner Alan Clyne 11-5, 11-7, 11-7. It was his seventh title in a row.
The tournament was held at Edinburgh Sports Club and welcomed the best players from across the country.
Victorious Clyne was full of praise for Strathearn star Stewart in the match’s aftermath.
“I thought it was a good final,” Clyne said. “I started off very well which was crucial but he didn’t give up and was testing me in the long rallies because he’s tricky to read.
“It was an entertaining match and I can’t ask for more than a 3-0 win. I love playing the Nationals and always seem to perform at my best.
“I’m proud with 10 and would never have thought about that number when I first started playing squash. I’ll appreciate it even more when I retire.”
In the women’s event, Fair City talent Katriona Allen was defeated at the semi-final stage by eventual winner Lisa Aitken, going down 11-4, 11-2, 11-4.
But the former Perth Academy pupil bounced back to take the bronze medal following an epic encounter with Claire Gadsby.
Allen claimed the first two sets before being pegged back, but she managed to hold her nerve when it mattered most to take the thriller 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 4-11, 11-8.
“It was a great match,” Allen explained to the Perthshire Advertiser. “Claire is a wonderful squash player and is so talented with a racket.
“We played a few weeks back. I was just coming back from a concussion and she managed to get the edge over me 15-13 in the final game.
“She’s just coming back to squash after a long time out with injury so there was no pressure on her.
“It’s always difficult to play someone when they are under no pressure because they relax and just enjoy the match.
“I tried to do exactly that and focus on my strengths and that worked out in the end.”
Allen has been taking time to reflect on her tournament performance and was particularly pleased with how she handled the pressure of the event.
She said: “I reflect on all my events by writing up on my phone some thoughts about how I played and also what I could do to improve next time, and how that’s going to inform my next training block.
“I keep it as simple as I can and will discuss with my coach what I come up with. Overall, I’m pleased with how well I managed to handle my nerves.
“Nationals means a lot to me and to perform well there under pressure is always a great feeling.”
The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Allen’s competitive schedule changing but she will still be working hard to maintain fitness levels.
“The schedule was looking quite hectic but the current situation with COVID-19 has meant a bit of down time,” said Allen.
“I’ll still be keeping fit but focusing on getting my dissertation done and revising for my final year exams.”