There's no secret that we're huge fans of local sports here at Small City and are constantly in awe at our dedicated athletes, the hardworking coaches and clubs and the clever folks behind some of the area's most enjoyable events.
A thriving sporting community brings so many wonderful positives into the lives of everyone that stretch far beyond a healthy heart and taught abs! Joy at wins, team spirit, community pride and a reason to get out and celebrate when hard work and commitment pays off are just some of those reasons.
So it was with a huge sense of pride that Nicki stepped up for the second year to host the annual Perth and Kinross Sports Awards, and announce, among many other fantastic category wins, the inspirational young woman that is Olympian Laura Muir, as this year's Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year.
For those who don't follow sports, Laura is our local Olympic Athlete and track superstar who broke Dame Kelly Holmes’ long standing British record at the anniversary games in London.
Laura was up against three other exceptional local talents in teh shape of World Cup Canoeist Eilidh Gibson and fellow Olympians Camilla Hattersley and Stephen Milne, both swimmers hailing from Perth City Swim Club.
Alongside Laura's main category win, an additional eleven awards were presented to clubs, individuals, teams and events that played an active role in the sporting life of Perth and Kinross from 1st January to 31st December 2016.
The winners are:
- Live Active Leisure Sports Person of the Year Award - Laura Muir – Athletics
- Active Schools School Team of the Year - Perth Academy Girls Football Team
- Tactran Coach of the Year - Peter Ross – Cricket
- Small City, Big Personality Team of the Year - Team Kinnear – Curling
- Alison Wilson Junior Male Sports Person of the Year - Scott McLay – Swimming
- Alison Wilson Junior Female Sports Person of the Year - Holly Morrogh Bernard – Weightlifting
- Steve Brown Electrical Club of the Year - Salle Ossian - Fencing
- Live Active Sports Development Event of the Year - Scottish Open Volleyball Tournament
- Perth Trophy Shop Volunteer of the Year - Anthony Drew & John Ross
- Perth & Kinross Sports Council George Mortimer Lifetime Achievement Award - Thomas Edward Nicholson - Bowling
- Perth & Kinross Council, Official of the Year - Scott Milne – Swimming
- WD Laing Garage Disability Sport Person of the Year Award - Joshua Rowe – Boccia
Organised by Perth and Kinross Sports Council and Live Active Leisure almost 150 people attended the awards including school teams, volunteer coaches, individual sports men and women and community sporting events. The awards celebrated the achievements made between January and December 2016 and boy, was it some year to celebrate?
Our local athletes received much in the way of regional, British, European and international acclaim, with the Rio Olympics the highlight of the year. Stephen Milne won his first Olympic Medal and Laura Muir broke record upon record all year long!
They, alongside many others have become heroes to our local youngsters, raising the profile of sport and promoting the benefits of getting out there and joining in.
Phil Coleman, Sports Manager for Live Active Leisure commented;
"It was another fantastic event this year, with so many deserving winners. Once again, we received a large number of entries from across the area giving the judges a tough job whittling down a shortlist and then the eventual winners. The quality and dedication of our local coaches, volunteers, athletes and clubs is second to none and this is been reflected perfectly in this event process.
In our capacity as the area's sports and fitness Trust, Live Active Leisure are mindful of recognising the work that goes into making Perth and Kinross a place where sporting achievement - both at grass roots and performance level - is celebrated and these awards do exactly that. Well done to all of the winners, the shortlist and everyone involved."
SCBP4th March 2017
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