The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus hands honours to sporting heroes.
AWARDS: Event celebrates successes of teams and individuals
Gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games bowler Darren Burnett was named Angusalive Sports Personality of the Year at an awards ceremony in Forfar last night.
The event celebrated the achievements and successes of individuals, teams and clubs across Angus in 2018, with the top award of the night going to the Arbroath Bowling Club and Team Scotland athlete.
Darren had an outstanding year – he started as runner-up in theworld Mixed Pairs and was a beaten semi-finalist in the singles.
He represented Team Scotland on the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games and skipped the triples team to a gold medal.
He also played an important part in helping his club win the Angus League and the Scottish National Top Ten and finished the season ranked fifth in the world.
The two highly comm ended nominees were Hailey Duff (curling) and Niamh Harper (sailing).
The Young Sports Personality of the Year went to the 2018 highly commended tennis player Ben Hudson.
In 2018 Ben was number one in Great Britain at the 12 and under age group.
He is the current singles and doubles Scottish Junior Indoor champion at 12 and under and was the runner-up in the Under 14 category.
Highly commended awards went to Lucy Hay (figure skating), Sophie Smith (swimming), Shona Campbell (netball/ touch rugby), Zoe Rennie (basketball/ netball/cricket).
Sports Personality of the Year for People with a Disability went to Special Olympics athlete Liam Thom who competed at the Special Olympics 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling in 2018 and achieved two gold medals in the Motor Activities Training Programme.
The two highly comm ended nominees were Scott Perera (athletics/swimming) and Murran Mackay (athletics). Other awards: Outstanding commitment – Margaret Hadden who has been involved with Brechin Beavers Swimming Club for more than three decades; highly commended – Evelyn Smith (ten pin bowling) and Robin Shields (football).
Club of the year – Strathmore Rugby Club; highly commended – Forfar Amateur Swimming Club and Monifieth Athletic Football Club.
Team of the year – Special Olympics Tayside which competed in the Special Olympics 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling; highly commended – Forfar Farmington FC Under 13s and Montrose Tennis Club Junior First Team.
Coach of the year – Gemma Lu msdai ne, Dundee Dragons Wheelchair sport. Highly commended – Oliver Carter (triathlon), David Wilson (badminton) Kay Rudd (football).
Club volunteer of the year – Lorna Cochrane who was instrumental in the development of the annual Rural School Highland Games; highly commended – Jordan Young (swimming) and Alana Mackie (swimming).
School sports volunteer of the year – Arbroath High head boy Lee Paterson; highly commended – Rebecca Whyte (running/football) Pippa Reddy (netball) and Callum Burnett (rugby union).
Darren had an outstanding year – he started as runner-up in the World Mixed Pairs and was a beaten semifinalist in the singles