HEROES OF SCOTLAND Sportswomen make mark on big night
Scotland’s sportswomen took centre stage at the Scottish Sports Awards on Thursday night.
Shelley Kerr’s World Cupbound national team were the big winners with two of the main awards at the 13th annual celebration of the nation’s sporting successes, brought to you by the Sunday Mail and
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agency for sport.
Kerr held off stiff competition to take Coach of the Year, while her stars earned the Team of the Year plaudits in a tight voting race with Treble winners Celtic.
They were joined in the spotlight at the climax of a brilliant night by rowing legend Dame Katherine Grainger, who joined the pantheon of Scottish sporting greats as she received a Lifetime Achievement award.
Britain’s greatest ever female Olympian, now the chair of UK Sport, said: “I’m thrilled to get this recognition at home in Glasgow, although obviously when you start getting things that say ‘Lifetime’ in them, then you start to realise you are enjoying memories whi le everyone else in the room is celebrating in the here and now!
“But it’s great to see Shelley and the girls getting the plaudits as wel l . I spoke to them afterwards and Shelley has asked me to come and join them for a chat before they play in the World Cup, which I’d be delighted to do.”
Kerr said: “It’s an honour to be up on the stage being recognised like this but the girls have earned it the hard way.
“This is not just about a successful 2018, it’s about years of hard work and dedication for players who haven’t had an easy path, playing part-time.
“Now all we can do is give our best in 2019.”
A packed hall at Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hi lton were treated to a superb night showcasing the best Scottish sport had to offer in 2018, all the way from the Commonwealth and World champions to community champions.
Aquatics claimed the big awards with the brilliant Duncan Scott landing the Spor ts Personality of the Year honours for his staggering 10-medal haul in Gold Coast and at Glasgow’s European Championships.
Top div ing talent Lucas Thomson won the young version for his world title at the age of 17 while teenager Toni Shaw took the Disability Sport Award for a stunning six-medal haul at the World Para Swimming.
At the opposite end of the age spectrum, the incredible Arthur Smith was recognised for more than five decades’ dedication to Kilbarchan AAC, the 84-year-old still coaching at the track up to six nights a week.
Team United’s stellar work for children with autism in the Lothians was recognised with the Local Club Award.
LOCAL CLUB Team United Football (Broxburn) SCHOOL SPORT AWARD North Queensferry Primary SPORTING EVENT Euro Championships, Glasgow DISABILITY SPORT AWARD Toni Shaw (Swimming) TEAM OF THE YEAR Scotland Women’s National Team (Football) INSPIRATIONAL PERFORMANCE Scotland’s ODI win over England (Cricket) EDITOR’S AWARD Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Dame Katherine Grainger