COACH OF THE YEAR

ANN DICKSON

SWIMMING

PERTH City Swim Club landed the award for the country’s top club at the Scottish Swimming Awards in October last year.

And much of the club’s success is down to legendary head coach, Ann Dickson.

Her outstanding service with the club stretches back more than two decades.

And in 2016 the highly-regarded coach travelled to Rio to watch two of her protégés compete at the Olympic Games.

It was there she saw Stephen Milne and Camilla Hattersley, both of whom she mentored, compete on the world stage.

Milne won 4x200m freestyle silver in Rio – and credits the award to his relationship with Ann.

ALEX RICHARDSON

WEIGHTLIFTING

ALEX RICHARDSON started Gladiators Weightlifting Club more than 30 years ago.

Since then, dozens of athletes under his tutelage have walked away with hundreds of Scottish, British, European and International titles.

Alex’s hope is that his latest crop, aged between nine and 17, will make their mark at next year’s Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires.

The club is based in Easterhouse, one of Scotland’s most deprived areas.

But Alex, who is from the same area, hopes to make it a centre of excellence for the sport.

And he wants his club to inspire the next generation of Scottish Commonwealth and Olympic stars.

STEVE KEENAN

FRAME FOOTBALL

DEDICATED dad Steve Keenan is responsible for Scotland’s first Frame Football sessions.

The sport, which is growing in popularity, is aimed at people who use a frame, walker or a pacer.

And it’s a cause close to Steve’s heart.

His 10-year-old son Nathan was born with cerebral palsy and has had to walk with the aid of a frame all his life.

Steve partnered with Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle – who have shown a commitment to supporting disabled football – and has begun to coach Frame Football sporting sessions.

Steve, along with wife Nadine, now has ambitions to start the country’s first Frame Football league.

LEON SMITH

TENNIS

IT was a surprise to many when Glasgow-born Leon Smith was appointed captain of Great Britain’s Davis Cup team in 2010.

But he immediately set about his task with verve.

His side went from also-rans – languishing in the second tier – to reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

With the help of the likes of Sir Andy Murray – Smith had remained friends with the Dunblane ace since coaching him as a youngster – Britain won the event in 2015, beating Belgium 3-1 in the final.

Last year, Smith’s service was recognised with the award of an OBE.

And his appointment as performance director for Tennis Scotland made him one of the most important men in the sport.