Broxburn sport stars up for titles
The winners of the annual Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards will be crowned next week with the great and good of the Broxburn sporting world high on the list of shortlisted finalists.
Now in its 12th year, the event which is sponsored by – the national agency for sport – celebrates excellence throughout Scottish sport by rewarding sportsmen, women, teams and volunteers for their outstanding achievements in 2018.
The annual event also recognises the work and commitment of the many coaches and officials who do so much at a grassroots level.
Among those in the running for the various top awards are Team United Sports.
The Broxburn club, which also operates in Edinburgh and East Lothian, is a charity that works to support young people with disabilities overcome social barriers they often face when taking part in sport and physical activity, particularly team sports.
Team United Sports focus on supporting young people aged 10 to 16 years with autism by providing opportunities to take part in a player pathway that offers weekly sports coaching, social activities and an awards scheme.
Founder of Team United Sports, Ann Brown, said: “We focus our attention on knowing as much as we can about each of our players, use their chosen sport as the motivator to break down social barriers and get them playing together as a team. More importantly, being active and enjoy taking part.
“As we have trained and knowledgeable coaching and support staff in every session, young people know their needs will be understood. Our approach enables young people the opportunity to gain confidence, connect with their team mates and celebrate their achievements in a supported environment.”
Broxburn-born Shelley Kerr, who guided the Scottish women’s national team to their first ever World Cup – a historic achievement is one of the favourites in the coach/ manager of the Year category.
Under Kerr’s guidance Scotland have gone from strength to strength and will go next finals in France full on confidence, which is why she is in the running at next week’s awards.
Chair of Mel Young, said: “It’s been another momentous year for Scottish sport at all levels with our athletes once again showing they have what it takes to win medals against the very best in the world.
“But it’s not just at a performance level where sport is hitting the headlines.
“Attendances at the national Active Schools programme have reached 7.3million – an all-time high. There are also now 192 Community Sport Hubs in operation across the country, further increasing participation opportunities.
“And just in the last few weeks we announced that a record number of schools – 673 in total – have achieved a School Sport Award for putting school sport at the heart of their ethos. It’s certainly been a year to remember.” Visit www.sportfirst.
org.uk/ articles/eyes-on-the-prize for more information on the full shortlist for the Sunday Mail and Scottish Sports Awards.