Event will celebrate local sporting stars
Committee puts in place plans to complete funding
A one-off sporting celebration has been organised in recognition of the efforts made and achievements gained by clubs, groups, organisations, athletes, volunteers and coaches during last year’s lockdown period.
Sponsored by Perth and Kinross Sports Council and organised by Live Active Leisure, the Spirit of Sport Awards will replace this year’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony.
Instead of the traditional format, nominations are being sought for those clubs and individuals who made an impact on their community and members through their creativity and determination.
Phil Coleman, community sport and partnership manager for Live Active Leisure, said: “With such huge disruption to sport in 2020, we knew that we couldn’t go ahead with our usual Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
“However, through our club contacts we’ve heard countless stories of volunteers keeping their members and communities engaged through various activities, as well as delivering non-sporting, additional support to the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“We knew we had to find a way to recognise those efforts formally and we’re delighted that Perth and Kinross Sports Council has agreed to sponsor our Spirit of Sport Awards.
“I would encourage everyone to send their nominations to us by March 8.”
The awards ceremony will take place virtually in late March and will see volunteers, athletes, coaches, clubs and other local sporting organisations celebrated in five different categories.
David Taylor, chair of Perth and Kinross Sports Council, said: “PKSC has supported the annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Perth and Kinross for many years now.
“And we are delighted that our longstanding partnership with Live Active Leisure is in a position to recognise the individuals and clubs who have gone over and above to keep the spirit of sport alive during what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging times any of us has ever faced.
“I hope people get behind this brilliant idea and nominate the worthy clubs and individuals of our local sporting community.”
Anyone can nominate an individual or a group by visiting www.liveactive.co.uk prior to the deadline.
Winners will be decided by a panel of judges and announced via the Live Active Leisure Facebook page.
The date of this announcement will be governed in part by lockdown restrictions, with a virtual ceremony planned for no later than April 30.
Ongoing efforts to create a new all-weather sports facility in east Perthshire are set to enter their next phase.
Volunteers with Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Club (BRCFC) have said they are on the cusp of appointing a specialist consultant with a view to creating a 3G pitch in Rattray’s Davie Park.
Applications for additional funding also need to be lodged with various grant-giving bodies and a business plan drawn-up before the project enters its final stages.
A special BRCFC 3G facility committee has been set up in order to help bring the overall goal to fruition and the project has received the backing of Perth and Kinross Council, which has previously committed £500,000 to the future development.
Sandy Thomson is a member of the dedicated BRCFC subcommittee overseeing the project.
He said: “At the moment, the BRCFC 3G facility committee is striving to have a 3G all-weather surface in place as soon as all the finance is in place. This involves applying to various funding bodies to augment the £500,000 committed by PKC.
“We are in the last stage of having all the necessary facts and figures in place and are looking forward in the next week to appointing a specialist sports surface consultant.
“Although expensive, this will enable us to take the project to its final conclusion.
“Once that is in place, it will allow us to complete the business plan and finalise funding applications by the end of March.”
Sandy went on to explain it could be anywhere up to a further six months before the success of any additional funding applications is known and that a further £150,000 could be required.
He continued: “If there happens to be a benefactor out there who has a spare £150,000 then we would love to hear from them!
“However, that is highly unlikely so the committee will push on with collating the facts and filling in numerous forms
“Once this has been done, then it could be another four to six months before any confirmation will be announced.”
Sandy added: “Although lower league and youth football is on hold just now due to the Covid-19 restrictions – with no games or training taking place – it would it be a big benefit to the area if the pitch was up and running.
“Anyone who has been watching football lately on the TV will have noticed, however, other circumstances like access and the weather also come into the equation when it comes to playing games.”