All around Lanarkshire
BASKETBALL
SCOTTISH CUP SUCCESS FOR UWS
The men and women’s basketball teams from University of the West of Scotland (UWS) were both celebrating recently after medal success at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Scottish Conference Cup.
The men’s team were in fine form, taking home the trophy, while the women’s team secured silver for UWS, who have a campus in Hamilton.
Success for the men saw them clinch a league and cup double after winning their BUCS league and securing the Scottish Conference Cup, following a 77 – 73 defeat over Edinburgh Napier University at the event, which took place in St Andrews on Wednesday, March 11.
There was also a cup final appearance for UWS’s women’s basketball team, who won a silver medal following an entertaining, hard-fought match against the University of Dundee, finishing 46 – 53.
Ciaran O’Brien, Head of Sport at UWS, said: “We recognise the transformative power of sport at UWS and have high aspirations for our teams and sport scholars.
“We are delighted to see the success of our student athletes, and the wider benefits which sport and physical activity are contributing to the University.”
The men’s final saw Sports Scholarship recipient and Glasgow Rocks star, Jonny Bunyan secure a man-of-the-match accolade.
And the women’s team also saw fantastic performances on the day, with Sports Scholarship student, Nicole Davidson shooting a number of key three point shots throughout the match.
The basketball finals follow a great few weeks for Team UWS, with the student athletes competing at BUCS Nationals in Sheffield.
UWS students had some strong performances across 60m hurdles, shot put and 3000m in the athletics arena, while Team UWS badminton also achieved strong performances in women and men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
John McGonigal, Sport Development Manager at UWS, said: “We are extremely proud of the achievements of our Team UWS students and individual athletes. Team UWS students have competed in a wide range of BUCS competitions over the season and there have been some exceptional performances and significant successes.
BOWLING
MONKLANDS BOWLING ASSOCIATION
Monklands Bowling Association have revealed their regular fixture calendar has been cancelled.
With the country on lockdown, a decision has been taken to withdraw all competitions for this year.
The clubs will not open and no fees will be taken for this year.
David Truesdale of the Coatdyke Bowling Club said: “It is surreal; I don’t remember a decsision like this being taken in my 30 years working with the club and association.
“We don’t want people having to worry about paying fees or anything like that, so all the clubs will be closed and none of the regular events across Lanarkshire will take place.”
“We just want everyone to stay home and listen to the advice.”
FOOTBALL
UNSUNG HEROES
As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, UK branded products and clothing specialist Recognition Express has extended the deadline for U16 Junior and juvenile football clubs across Scotland to nominate their unsung club heroes.
The prize is a brand-new strip for the whole team next season and the extended deadline for free online entry is now April 30.
The Recognition Express franchise has local branches across Scotland each run by owner operators who play an active part in the communities they serve.
Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express said: “Our annual Unsung Heroes competition is a fantastic way to recognise those who support junior football clubs.
“In these unprecedented times we appreciate that clubs need all the help they can get, which is why we are extending the deadline for entries.
“Anyone who goes over and above for the club can be nominated; from coaches and caretakers to club secretaries and groundsmen, anyone whose selflessness and commitment allows girls and boys to enjoy football in a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.
With club sponsorship hard to come by in the best of times, and with the added financial pressure facing mums and dads at the moment, Recognition Express wants to offer local teams the chance to start next season on a high note with in a brand new strip, in a design of their choosing.”
Nigel added: “As specialists in recognition products, promotional items and branded clothing, it makes sense for us to combine donating a new team strip to a local junior football clubs whilst recognising an unsung hero.
“It gives us the chance to recognise the contribution these unsung heroes make and give something back to the communities our franchisees serve.”
Anyone can nominate a junior football club hero. The competition is open to all under 16’s junior and juvenile football clubs in England and Scotland.
To enter visit https://www. recognition-express.com/nominatefootball-hero and complete the simple entry form.
The competition closes on Thursday, April 30, 2020 and the winner will be announced from Monday, May 11.
ATHLETICS
MOTHERWELL AC
David Gardiner won the MV50 first prize at the Jack Hamilton 10K Championship Race..
Mark Gallacher was second in MV40, and the Motherwell AC team won the team prize (David Gardiner, Paul Burns, Mark Gallacher, and Chris Macdonald)
TOM SCOTT MEMORIAL ROAD RACE
Law and District AAC’s Tom Scott Memorial Road Race event has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15 and online entry has reopened.
All existing entries will be valid for the rescheduled date. Those already entered who are unable to attend have the option to defer entry to 2021 or to withdraw,
Durie’s Boxing will be running free classes online every day at 3pm during lockdown. These are aimed at both kids and adults. BRAVEHEARTS BOXING GYM
Bravehearts Boxing Gym owner Steven McMillan admits the coronavirus lockdown is frustrating – because it scuppered his ring return.
Steven was due to enter a bout during the Hamilton gym’s home show this month, but all events have been scrapped.
He said: “It’s frustrating. It might be a case of us riding this out and then we will need to get people back above board, and fit and motivated again.”