Last chance to nominate your sports people, teams and coach of the year

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s inaugural sports awards, The Shetland Times and Shetland Recreational Trust are once again teaming up to stage a special ceremony next month with presentations in various categories.

The awards are designed to recognise the achievements of Shetland’s many sportsmen and women, and the clubs they represent, who have excelled at home and further afield during the past year.

Readers are invited to nominate individuals or teams to be considered in five different categories: sportsperson of the year; young sportsperson of the year (aged 18 or under); team of the year; young team of the year (aged 18 or under); and coach of the year.

Last year’s winners respectively were athlete Claire Wilson, swimmer Andrea Strachan, the Shetland bowls team, the junior inter-county athletics team and swimming coach Jim Robertson.

We have suggested below several of the individuals and teams who could be in the running for the different categories this time round. However, this is only a guide and people are free to nominate anybody they wish The closing date for nominations is Friday 7th November.

The awards ceremony will be held following a dinner in Clickmin Leisure Complex on Friday 28th November. Three nominees in each category, or representatives of clubs nominated, will be invited to attend and tickets will also be sold for the evening.

Shetland Recreational Trust general manager James Johnston said: “Last year’s awards were very successful and we are again delighted to be associated with the initiative.

“The awards provide an opportunity for our many talented athletes and coaches to be duly recognised for their tremendous achievements over the past 12 months.

“I would urge anybody with an interest in local sport to put forward names of individuals and teams who deserve to be recognised at the Shetland Sports Awards.”

Editor of The Shetland Times Paul Riddell said the paper, a strong supporter of sport in the isles, was proud to sponsor the event because it would highlight the hard work put in by participants and coaches. “The awards are a very positive addition to Shetland’s sporting calendar which we are delighted to be involved with.”

Sportsperson of the year

• Cyclist Christine McLean who won several gold and silver medals at Scottish and UK time trials;
• Badminton player Kevin Smith who won the Shetland singles title for the 12th year in a row;
• Golfer Tom Simpson who, in his 50s, won the Shetland open championship for the first time;
• Bobsleigh racer Kenny Simm who is now an established member of the UK team;
• Squash player Jamie Macaulay who was chosen to represent Scotland at the world championships;
• Clay shooter John Magnus Laurenson who was selected for the Scottish skeet team.

Young sportsperson of the year

• Athlete Faye Richardson who was chosen for the national training squad;
• Fencer Sophie Drosso who is now one of the most highly rated in the country;
• Badminton player Stuart Sineath who won the Scottish schools under-16 doubles championship;
• Pony rider Arianne Fraser who has again won the right to compete at Olympia in December;
• Footballer Calum Grant who has been signed up by Inverness Caledonian Thistle at youth level;
• Hockey players Rhiannon Inkster and Zoe Irvine who were selected for the Scottish training squad.

Team of the year

• Delting FC which won the Shetland senior football title for the seventh year in a row;
• The inter-county badminton team which defeated Orkney for the 23rd consecutive year;
• The Whalsay sailing team which won the Inter-club Regatta team race;
• Bressay Light cricket team which won the indoor league for the third time in a row.

Young team of the year

• The under-15 girls’ athletics team which won the Scottish Sportshall Championship;
• The Anderson High School netball team which captured the Scottish schools title;
• Rangers under-16 football team which cleaned up this season;
• The overall junior inter-county team which defeated Orkney by 236 points to 167.

Coach of the year

Many of the competitors and teams mentioned would be the first to acknowledge the support, guidance and encouragement given by the numerous people who dedicate their efforts in a coaching capacity. While it would be invidious to single out individuals we would anticipate a healthy list of nominations for those worthy of praise.

Nomination forms are available in this week’s Shetland Times or send an email to editorial@shetland-times.co.uk