ANGUSalive Sports Awards Winners

The ANGUSalive Sports Awards were held last week, Friday 16 March 2018 at the Reid Hall. The awards aim to highlight and celebrate the achievements and success of individuals, teams and clubs across Angus throughout 2017.

ANGUSalive announces the winners for the nine award categories as follows:

The award of the night, Young Sports Personality of the Year, went to local athlete Zoe Rennie and was presented by ANGUSalive in celebration of the Year of Young People 2018.

Zoe is a fantastic athlete; in 2017 she was selected for the U17 Scotland Cricket squads and was also selected for the U17 Scottish Netball team. Zoe was further selected for the Scotland U15 Basketball team. At 14 years old, Zoe is training and competing well above her age group. This is a fairly unique position for an athlete to be selected for Scottish level teams in three sports. Zoe is a humble and hardworking young person, who demonstrates a high standard of training and commitment to her sports as well as a brilliant attitude.

Due to the high calibre of nominations for young people received in the categories Young Sports Personality of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year for People with a Disability, as well as highly commending Niamh Harper and Sophie Smith, ANGUSalive also commended the following nominees who attended the awards ceremony as guests and were presented with certificates:

Oliver Bernard

Matthew Crighton

Laura Findlay

Beth Greig

Neve Guthrie

Ben Hudson

Oran McCafferty

Rosie Kinloch Simpson

Darryl Sinclair

Jude Steven

Mia White

James Wilson

Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club athlete Gemma Lumsdaine took home Sports Personality of the Year, sponsored by Precor.

Gemma had an outstanding year as both an athlete and a coach; she is involved in the Scottish Disability Sport Young People’s Panel and BasketballScotland Young Person’s Sport Panel. Gemma was selected for the GB talent squad, who train with the GB Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby squad; and played in the European Select Women’s team at the inaugural Women’s cup in Paris. Gemma is also part of the Scotland U23’s Wheelchair Basketball Squad as well as Assistant Coach to the U19 Wheelchair Basketball squad. Gemma is a dedicated athlete and role model to many athletes.

The two highly commended nominees were triathletes Mark Hopkins and Andrew Woodroffe.

Sports Personality of the Year for People with a Disability, sponsored by Angus Disability Sports in partnership with National Oilwell Varco (NOV) was won by Special Olympics coach Paul Radunski.

Paul participated at the Special Olympics National Games in 2017; Paul moved from his preferred sport of football to his second choice sport of athletes. Adapting his training and achieved great success whilst exceeding expectations. Paul picked up four gold medals in 100m, shot putt, long jump and 4x100m relay. Paul competed against 100 other athletes in his division, performing exceptionally well. Paul has now been selected for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2019.

The two highly commended nominees were Liam Davies and Bill Fairweather.

For the second year running, Scott Haxton was awarded Coach of the Year, sponsored by Forbes of Kingennie Resort, in recognition of his work with Arbroath St. Thomas Swimming Club.

Scott furthered his successes throughout 2017, after winning the ANGUSalive Coach of the Year award in 2016. Scott was selected as a coach for the Scottish team that travelled to Porto for an international competition as well as lead coach for the Scottish Swimming Youth Squad. In September, Scott was lead coach for the Scotland South & East team for the UK School Games 2017, leading the team to third place overall, the best result for a Scottish team. Scott coached many swimmers from Arbroath St. Thomas to compete a District, Scottish and British championships and internationally at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The two highly commended nominees were Stephen Plomer and Kay Rudd.

Club Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Voluntary Action Angus and Special Olympics Tayside went to Johnny Christie.

Johnny was instrumental for continuing Carnoustie Rugby Club’s plan for improving their community engagement in Carnoustie. Johnny was the driving force in creating the Carnoustie High School, School of Rugby and has built strong relationships both with the school and throughout the local community. Through key and dedicated support from Johnny, the club developed a five year plan to develop curricular and extracurricular rugby in the local schools, 2017 was year three of the five year plan and his hard work and vision for the club is highly inspiring.

The two highly commended nominees were Claire Murray and Julie Thomson.

For her tireless and dedicated work with Brechin Beavers Swimming Club, Pam Thomson, was presented with the Outstanding Commitment Award, sponsored by D&A College.

Pam has been involved in swimming for over 40 years, beginning as a timekeeper to help at her local club Brechin Beavers. Her commitment grew as she became more involved in the club progressing onto a judge, referee, starter, committee member, coach and mentor for the club. Pam focusses her time and enthusiasm for swimming towards supporting the club committee, coaches and fellow volunteers. She supports developing coaches to progress through their qualifications as well as assisting in developing the swimmers. Pam’s exceptional commitment to Brechin Beavers, Midlands District swimming and to Scottish Swimming is extensive and has enhanced the overall experience for so many members.

The two highly commended nominees were Bob Baldie and Richard Heggie.

Bringing the roof down, the ecstatic Forfar Boys FC 2004's took home Team of the Year, sponsored by Angus Community Sport Hubs.

Forfar Boys were a cut above the rest in 2017. The incredibly dedicated, hardworking and committed team winning 4 leagues or cups in a clean sweep in their competition calendar. Forfar Boys FC 2004’s are DDYFA League Cup winners, East Region Shield winners, Diamond Jubilee cup winners and winners of the Ross Ballantine trophy. In total, the Team played 36 league and cup games, winning 33, with a draw in two and losing only one game in the season. A fantastic achievement and in the history of the DDFYA, no team has ever won four trophies in their inaugural season, well deserved winners of this award.

The two highly commended nominees were Arbroath Gymnastics Club Elite Display Team and Forfar Farmington Women's Premier League Team.

Showing a valued commitment to school sports, Stewart Ferguson won School Sports Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Active Schools.

Stewart led the support stages of the extracurricular football club throughout 2017, delivering sessions weekly at Southmuir Primary School. Many of the pupils have gone on to join Kirrie Thistle Youths Football Club, where Stewart is also a coach. In addition to his commitment to coaching the club for up to 25 pupils per week, Stewart also organises the team to take part in festivals and helping with transport. Stewart continually promotes sportsmanship, fair play and inclusion at all his sessions.

The two highly commended nominees were Kerry Craig and Suzanne Reid.

The talented Arbroath Gymnastics Club collected the Club of the Year Award, sponsored by Ferburn Engraving.

Arbroath Gymnastics Club provides coaching for children and young people of all abilities from age four years. The club had many outstanding achievements including winning eight medals and six ribbons at Scottish Levels individual and team competitions, the most medals won at this level in the club’s history. The elite display team of exceptionally talented gymnasts performed heart-stopping routines at Gymnastique Magique, winning two gold medals. Overall, 2017 saw development across all areas of the club and expansion of the club members to provide gymnastics training for more children.

The two highly commended nominees were Brechin Beavers Swimming Club and Monifieth Athletic Football Club.

ANGUSalive would like to extend their best wishes to all winners and all of those nominated and wish you a successful 2018 in sport. The charity wishes to also thank all sponsors for their contribution this year, including platinum sponsor, Precor.