SPORTS PRIZE NIGHT IS BACK
EK awards return after four-year absence
The East Kilbride Sports Performer of the Year Awards is making a return after an enforced fouryear break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, April 22, the town’s Village Theatre will play host to a glittering ceremony recognising the top talents from East Kilbride and the surrounding area, with the overall prize winners going on to represent the district at the South Lanarkshire awards later in the year.
But before the prizes are handed out, East Kilbride Sports Council are seeking your nominations in a variety of categories, including the best adult male and female performers, club of the year and coach of the year.
The awards will recognise performances from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
EK Sports Council last hosted the awards back in 2019 when Glasgow City goalkeeper and Scotland women’s international Lee Alexander won best adult female and the overall prize.
And EKSC chairman Jim Ballantyne is delighted to see the big night return.
He told the News: “The last one was 2019 because the 2020 awards were due to take place just before the lockdown happened.
“It came as a bit of a shock to realise how long ago it was we last held the awards, but it is good for the community to have these awards back and we can recognise the town’s sporting performers once again.
“It’s the same categories as before, the same venue and the same entertainment as well so there is a feeling of things being back to normal after four years away.
“Like every other organisation, we have lost people during that time and we are slowly trying to build up again, and that is one of the reasons we are keen to have the awards night.
“We would be more than happy to accommodate people from different clubs or sports who would like to join our committee.”
Nominations are being sought in the following categories: Adult sports personality of the year; Junior male sports personality of the year (under 18 as of January 1, 2022); Junior female sports personality of the year (under 18 as of January 1, 2022); Junior male individual of the year (under 12 as of January 1, 2022); Junior female individual of the year (under 12 as of January 1, 2022); Veteran of the year (50 and over).
In the team categories there are awards for club of the year, senior team of the year, junior team of the year (under 18, as of January 1, 2022), coach of the year, administrator of the year and there is also a services to sport award. Nominations can be made online to South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture via this link: https:// sl-leisure.co.uk/ east-kilbride-sports-council-sportsperformer-and-team-of-the-year2022-nomination-form.
Forms are also available in schools and at the John Wright Sports Centre for those looking to put forward names, clubs or teams. The deadline for entries is March 18.
The Calderglen High School Jazz band will be returning to provide entertainment on the night, while Cliff Smith will also be back to perform his duties as master of ceremonies.