|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
        |
sportMoray Recognition Awards 2008 The 2008 sportMoray Recognition Awards took place on the 27th of November at the Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. The Categories for Nomination were as follows:- The Scottish Association Of Local Sports Councils - SALSC Local Service to Sport Award. Moray Council - Junior Sportswoman Award. Moray Leisure Centre - Senior Team Award. Diageo - Club Level Award. Campbell & McConnachie - Sports Person Of The Year Award. Moray College - Junior Sportsman Award. Northern Scot - Junior Team Award. sportMoray - Coach Award. Elgin Rotary - Special Achievement Award.
SHORT-LIST PORTFOLIOS 2008
SALSC Local Service to Sport Award This Award is for an individual administrator, coach or official for their voluntary contribution to local sport over a lengthy period of time (minimum 10 years). Five individuals were short-listed for this category: William Cook, Cullen Sport – Bowling William first joined Cullen Bowling & Tennis Club in 1968. He has held many positions with this club including secretary, president, convener and this year he was made honorary president. William, however, also became involved with the Scottish Bowling Association in 1979 and has held various roles since then, including umpire at the World Bowl Championships, Convener at Scottish County Championships, Team Manager of the Scottish team in the World Bowling Championships, Tournament Director at the World Bowling Championships and this year he has been elected President of the Scottish Bowling Association. William has also held roles in the Highland, Banffshire and North Eastern and Scottish Inter County Top Ten Associations at the same time as some of the other positions mentioned above. A world class bowling beauty Mike Rodgers, Forres Sport – Orienteering Mike has been involved in the development of orienteering in the area for more than 20 years. Mike has organised many local, national and international orienteering events within the area over the years that have been attended by hundreds. More recently Mike’s dedication and passion for the sport has enabled many local primary and secondary school children to be introduced to this exciting sport. Mike has worked tirelessly over recent years with the Active Schools Team in Moray to ensure orienteering is accessible to all. He has mapped out routes for schools, ran taster sessions, provided courses for events and organised many schools championships over recent years. He has put countless hours into developing the sport in the area which is clearly seen in the number of pupils now involved in orienteering events. A true stalwart for the sport of orienteering. Jim George, Elgin Sport – Football In 1964 Jim was one of the founders of Elgin Boys Club. He has served in every position in the club, initially the founder club secretary dealing with all admin issues which he held for many years before becoming club chairman. He has been involved in arranging tours to Europe and the United States for many of the youngsters at the club. In Elgin he was the proud coach to the Corinthians – and only the Corinthians!! Jim is still an Executive Committee Member at the age of 81 and assumes responsibility for co-ordinating the annual registration of some 300+ boys and also organising the end-of-season presentation evening. Jim was a well accomplished Highland League player with Lossiemouth and can still be seen at Grant Park when Lossie are at home or watching his beloved Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Jim can claim to have played at Cathkin Park against the now defunct Third Lanark FC and still has the mud from his boots (in a jar) to prove it! A true gentleman, who is well respected by youngsters and his peers alike. Ken Kennedy, Lossiemouth Sport – Table Tennis Ken has been the stalwart of table tennis in the Elgin and District area for over 30 years. He has held the secretary’s position in the Elgin and District League for the same length of time. This has been a thankless task and without Ken’s enthusiasm for the sport and his introduction of both younger and older members of the community to the sport, table tennis within the area would have ceased many years ago. Ken can take pride in the fact that he mentored Neil Cameron from an early age, and it is undoubtedly to Ken’s credit that Neil continues to play the sport and is currently ranked 5th in Scotland. A dedicated, devoted table tennis icon! Lesley McConnell, Forres Sport – Tennis Since moving to Moray in 1969, Lesley’s impact on tennis in Highland District (which includes Moray) has been immense. She served as captain and secretary of Forres Lawn Tennis Club during the 70s, 80s and 90s and officiated in the major redevelopment of the club in the late 90s. She became district secretary of the North of Scotland District LTA in 1987 until appointed president 3 years ago. She has also served on the Council of Tennis Scotland since the early 90s, representing Highland District. She has served many roles in other local and regional tennis forums. As well as being a very successful club and district-level player, she took her first coaching qualifications in 1987 and has worked tirelessly since then to develop the sport of tennis to youngsters in the area. She is now a DCA licensed coach and an active LTA tennis referee. The foundations for the continued growth of the sport in the area have been well and truly laid down by Lesley. A real tennis trooper!
Junior Sportsman Award This award is presented to a male sports person who has achieved excellence at regional, national or international level. Nominees for this category must be 12-18 years of age. Three individuals were short-listed for this category. Jack Goy, Forres Sport – Freestyle Kickboxing Jack is currently the Scottish and European champion within his category in the sport of freestyle kickboxing. He is also a member of the Great Britain Squad and was chosen to represent GB in the Junior World Championships in Italy this year, unfortunately having to pull out of the squad due to injury. Jack has been travelling all over GB over the past year having to attend GB training and competitions, which shows his commitment and drive to be one of the best in his sport. Jack has also taken gold at his recent Inter Club championships and continues to train on average 5 times per week. Lee Miller, Elgin Sport – Rugby As captain of the Moray under-18 side, Lee has led by example and been instrumental in the success of the side, winning the Regional League and reaching the semi final of the Caledonia Cup competition, including an exceptional win against National under-18 champions and holders of the Caledonia under-18 Cup – Stirling County. In recognition of Lee’s ability, he has been selected for the Caledonia under-18 Squad as well as attending the Scottish Rugby Union’s Struan Camp – a week long rugby camp for the most promising young players in Scotland. Along with Lee’s under-18 commitments he was playing for Moray Senior 1st XV throughout the entire season, very often playing two full matches on a weekend. As the leading try scorer, goal-kicker and playmaker, Lee’s rugby abilities show maturity well beyond his years and he will have a very bright future in the game of rugby. Joe McColl Sport – Rugby Joe is a key member of Moray Rugby Club’s under-18 team. Due to Joe’s talent he was selected for the Caledonia District Squad at under-16 level last season and played in all of their matches. This season Joe has been selected as part of the Caledonia Squad at under-17 level. Such is his ability he has attracted an offer of a rugby scholarship from Strathallan which he is currently considering. Through his self-belief and determination Joe has shown that he can play at the same level as central belt players who have far more conditioning and training opportunities to get them to this level. Joe is another exceptional rugby talent in the Moray area that could turn out to be the next Gavin Hastings!
Junior Sportswoman Award This award is presented to a female sports person who has achieved excellence at regional, national or international level. Nominees for this category must be between 12-18 years of age. Three individuals were short-listed for this category. Dominique Sutherland, Forres Sport – Tang Soo Do Dominique is a double Scottish, Women’s Open and International champion. She is also a European and British champion in her sport of Tang Soo Do. As well as achieving these tremendous levels, locally she is also the Interclub DKMA and Highland Grand Champion and this year she won the Forres Academy Meritorious Sport Award for her achievements. As well as the numerous training hours Dominique undertakes on a weekly basis she also continues to teach younger club members and help with fundraising events. A true role model for younger members of Tang Soo Do. Eleanor Duncan, Forres Sport – Athletics Eleanor is a dedicated athlete who participates in a range of different running disciplines through the course of the year. In Cross Country events her most notable achievements have been taking bronze in the North District Championships, Gold in the North District League, sixth in the National Championships, fifth in the Scottish Schools Championships and twelfth in the British Schools Championships. She took gold in the Moray Woodland Runs series this summer, silver in the 800m and gold in the 1500m at the North District Championships, silver in the 300m and gold in the 800m in the North of Scotland Schools Championships. Eleanor was selected to be a member of the Bank of Scotland Liz McColgan under-17 endurance squad. She is also a member of the Grampian Regional Endurance squad. As well as her own high level training Eleanor also gives her time and expertise to encourage and support younger athletes at her club. Last weekend Eleanor was being put through her paces by Paula Radcliffe in Edinburgh, one of a very small group of elite athletes invited to this session. Definitely the female version of Mark Mitchell for athletics in Forres! Chloe Hunt, Findhorn Sport – Lacrosse For a sport that is hardly ever played in the area Chloe has done fantastically well to reach the standard she is currently participating at. At the age of 17, Chloe has been selected and played as goalkeeper for Scotland’s Senior National Squad, one of only two junior lacrosse players ever to play in the senior squad! She recently played in a Stars & Stripes Tournament in New York and in an Open Tournament in Germany. Last year she was goalkeeper for Scotland’s under-19 World Cup Squad in Canada. She has been provisionally selected for the Scottish Senior Squad for the World Cup Series in 2009 and for the Edinburgh University Squad for the 2009 season. She is currently the Team Captain for the Loretta Squad in Edinburgh this season. A very dedicated young lady in the sport of lacrosse.
Junior Team Award This award is presented to a team that has achieved excellence at either a regional, national or international level. Three teams were short-listed for this category. Milne’s High School under-14 Football Team, Fochabers In May of this year a squad of fifteen boys aged 13 and 14 achieved new levels for north of Scotland football. They made history by being the first under-14 team in Moray to reach the semi finals of the Scottish Cup. From an entry of around 230 Scottish schools Milne’s beat Cults Academy, Aberdeen Grammar, Wick Academy, Newbattle High (near Edinburgh), Holyrood in Glasgow (which incidentally is the biggest secondary school in Europe with a roll of over 2000 pupils) to make it through to the semi finals against St Andrew and St Brides from Glasgow. The boys played magnificently only losing 1-0 to a late goal. St Andrews and St Brides went on to win the final 6-1! Closer to home the team was undefeated all season and was pronounced under-14 North Central League winners. They are continuing to build on their success at under-15 level this season by winning the League Cup Final against Elgin High in October and are currently sitting top of their league. Elgin Ice Hockey Club under-12 Team Elgin Ice Hockey Club has come a long way since its early days in the 90s and although a small club in terms of numbers, it has established itself as a competitive club in the league. This was proven in the 2007/08 season by the under-12s team who won the Scottish Cup. After several years of often heavy defeats by the big guns in the central belt, the under-12s team and their coaches worked their socks off to reach the final of the Scottish Cup with their opponents being Kirkcaldy. The Fife club are a large club and are crowned League and Cup Champions on a regular basis. The cup final day was attended by a large crowd of neutral supporters, many of whom supported the major underdogs, Elgin. After a very exciting game, the full-time score was 1-1, and that led to a tense penalty shoot out which, due to the determination and skill of the players and net minder, Elgin won! A great achievement for a small north of Scotland club. Moray Rugby Club under-18 Team For Moray RFC under-18s, season 2007/08 saw the culmination and results of a rugby side, brought together two years previously at under-16 level, achieve high standards within their sport. This side won the under-18 Regional League and reached the semi-final of the Caledonia Cup, having beaten Stirling County, who were the National under-18 champions and holders of the Caledonia Cup – on the way to the semi-final. Many of the players during the season also played for the Moray Senior 1st XV on the Saturday followed by the under-18 game on the Sunday. Without their commitment and effort to both fixtures, it is easily possible that the club could have ceased to compete in the league structure
Senior Team Award This award is for a team that has achieved excellence at either regional, national or international level. Three teams were short-listed for this category. Moray Social Football Club Moray Social Football Club this season were crowned Planwell Premier League winners at welfare football level in Moray. The team sustained a cutting edge throughout the domestic season with both young and “older” players in the squad! They remained unbeaten in the last nine games of the league to win on the penultimate game of the season. Aberlour Villa Football Club Aberlour Villa were winners of both the Planwell Cup and the Mike Simpson Memorial Trophy this season. They were also runners up to Moray Social FC in the Planwell Premier League. This was a fantastic achievement considering this season’s team was basically a brand new squad of players from the village of Aberlour and surrounding area. For a largely new squad to excel throughout the league and cup competitions this season is in itself a great achievement.
Atlantic
Challenge International Seamanship Team
Six
young sportsmen and women from Moray represented Scotland as part
of the UK team for the biennial Atlantic Challenge International
Competition of Seamanship held in Jakobstadt, Finland at the end
of July. The six, siblings Robert (20), Victoria (18) and Chloe
(17) Hunt with Gavin Sim (17), Stewart Samson (17) and Lewis Owen
(16) from the sailing charity ‘The Moray Gig’ based in Findhorn,
were selected from applicants from the whole of the UK because of
their dedication and training. Their training culminated in a
demanding week-long competition against eleven other gigs in all
aspects of seamanship which tested their adaptability, teamwork
and endurance. The UK team coxed by Robert Hunt in an outstanding
demonstration of a Jackstay transfer won the John Keir trophy for
seamanship. They were pipped at the post in the last rowing race
with the UK team coming second to the Russians. This team also
had to raise funds throughout the year to entitle them to compete
in the UK team which they had to fit in around their training.
These 6 Moray youngsters formed a strong nucleus for the UK team
and can be proud of their achievements.
Club Level Award This award is presented to an individual sports person who has made a valuable contribution at club level. Three individuals were short-listed for this category. Mary Bell , Forres Sport – Cycling Mary joined Forres Cycling Club in 1960 and in 1966 was elected as the club’s social secretary. Mary held this position for 16 years arranging coffee mornings, social and fundraising events etc. In 1982, Mary relinquished her post as social secretary to take up the post of treasurer. This is a job she has done, without interruption, for the last 26 years. At this year’s AGM, Mary decided the time was right to hand over the responsibility to someone younger, bringing down the curtain on 42 years of continuous dedicated service to the club. Throughout her tenure at the club Mary also trained as a race timekeeper and she has acted as a timekeeper for many races all over the north of Scotland. Many of these times, Mary would be found standing with a stopwatch and clipboard in hand, timing races, often in appalling weather, for no more than the love of the sport. It is true to say that without the unstinting work and dedication of this remarkable woman the club may not have survived to this day in its current, vibrant, financially strong form. Nick & Elaine Brown, Cullen Sport – Jogging Nick and Elaine Brown have been nominated for this award on account of their highly positive impact and influence developing the concept of Jog Scotland across the Moray area. Elaine has been the inspiration behind Jog Scotland Moray. Elaine sought backing from NHS Grampian and The Moray Council to organise Jog Scotland leader training in Elgin in January 2007. As a result of her efforts there are now Jog Scotland groups in Elgin, Lossiemouth, Fochabers, Keith, Buckie, Dufftown and Forres. Elaine has also been the driver behind the Moray 5k events which has included 2 summer challenge events in Elgin and a ‘Santa Saunter’. These events were highly successful and well attended by participants. Elaine is currently organising the ‘Santa Saunter’ in Buckie this year in aid of the RNLI. As well as all the above, Elaine is a local leader of the Jog Scotland Buckie group which is going from strength to strength and through Elaine organising the above events the members of the groups have 5, 6.5 and 10k events to work towards. Despite being told that starting up a Jog Scotland group in Buckie would be difficult, Nick persevered and the town now has 10 trained leaders, a growing junior group and more than 100 participants taking part in 1 or 2 weekly sessions. Nick has more than 20 years running experience and although still involved at a high level of running himself, Nick is very dedicated to helping and developing all the members of the Buckie group. Nick has been one of the main drivers in developing the Buckie group’s year-round programme that involves all running abilities. The programme is structured to include time trials, coaching, certificates, social events and much more. Nick is also heavily committed to developing all Moray Jog Scotland groups and is currently investigating the potential of starting up a website for these Moray groups. Due to Nick and Elaine’s countless hours in developing the group, the Buckie Jog Scotland group is now seen as a best practice model across Scotland. The Browns are a combined force in driving Jog Scotland forward in Moray all on a voluntary basis. Barbara King Sport – Curling Barbara is dedicated to developing curling in the Moray area. Not only does she coach the ‘Curling’s Cool’ programme through the Moray Province Curling Development Group she is also heavily committed to assisting at junior and adult club level as well. She has acted as assistant coach for years but has recently passed her practical and theory exam to become a Level A curling coach; she is also secretary to the Elgin Curling Club and a member of Moray Firth Ladies Curling Club. Barbara co-ordinates and is lead coach for the ‘Curling’s Cool’ programme which is a means to introduce primary aged children to curling and provide them with the opportunity to feed into the local junior club. This season a total of 96 children have participated in the programme which is largely down to Barbara’s commitment. Above this Barbara has also delivered coaching to pupils from secondary schools in the area. Due to Barbara’s dedication curling is becoming a more popular sport in the area at school aged level which was imperative for keeping the sport in the area alive!
Coach Award This award is presented to an individual who has contributed locally to the development of sport through coaching at their chosen level. Four individuals were short-listed for this award. Iain McDonald, Buckie Sport – Cricket Iain first took an interest in cricket when his son started playing Kwik Cricket in 1998. Since then Iain has gained his Level 1 coaching badge in 2002 and is hoping to complete his conversion course soon to streamline his qualification with the new UKCC structure. He is currently Buckie Cricket Club’s head coach and junior development officer. Iain takes Kwik Cricket coaching sessions in the local schools and at Linzee Gordon Park throughout the cricket season which attracts an average of 40 girls and boys attending. He is a Moray Cricket Association coach and has given numerous hours voluntarily over the years to coach youngsters in the Moray area in the sport of cricket. Without Iain’s commitment to cricket in Buckie their youth system would be non-existent. Alan Murray, Elgin Sport – Football In his first year of management after many years playing junior and welfare football, to gel a team made up from new and old players is no mean feat. However, Alan managed to do this by bringing some quality players into his team and promoting some younger players into the team. He provided them with excellent advice and coaching throughout the season. The end result was the team, Moray Social FC, lifting the Planwell Premier League Trophy in welfare football. The team also came second in the most shut outs and top goal scorer competitions. Alan’s managerial and coaching ability was one of the main reasons the team have done so well this season. Jamie Sutherland, Aberlour Sport – Football In his first year of management, Jamie was able to accommodate both his training and playing commitments for a junior club with coaching and managing Aberlour Villa. In his early twenties, Jamie commands respect from his squad which has enabled his team to win two cups and come runners up in the Planwell Premier League which went down to the penultimate game of the season. An excellent achievement for a young guy just setting out in the coaching and management pathway. Grant McPherson & Alan Thomson , Forres Sport – Swimming Grant and Alan are vital mainstays of Forres Bluefins Swimming Club and have been coaching for a vast number of years. They willingly spend numerous hours per week on poolside coaching 9 – 18year olds. They first became involved when their own children were members of the club and have continued coaching for many years after the departure of their offspring. Such is their standing within the swimming community they are involved as coaches for Scottish Swimming’s Regional Squads. This year Alan has been selected as lead coach for the District Regional Squad, meanwhile Grant has been extremely active in promoting and managing the Forres Academy Swim Team. Due to Grant and Alan’s commitment to coaching the club have had great success locally and nationally. Six of the squad have succeeded in qualifying for District Swimming Squads and two members have qualified for the Scottish National Development Squad. Special Achievement Award This special award will be given to an individual who has attained an outstanding personal achievement in sport through overcoming adversity. Two nominations were short-listed for this category. The Moray Wheelchair Curling Club The following members of the above club have been nominated for this award due to their combined talents over the space of two years. Norman Anderson, William Bain, Gregor Ewan, Jim Gault, Mike McKenzie and Carl Tottie have all overcome differing disabilities to achieve a remarkable reputation in wheelchair curling. Not only are they known locally, they have also gained national and international status. They play locally in the Province League against able-bodied teams or ‘standies’ and are really proving their worth. They have also participated in national events and two members reached the finals of the National Pairs Competition recently and two members will be representing Scotland in Canada and America next month. All members are, at present, attending GB ranking events and hopefully will make the Scotland Squad and/or Team GB. They have a great rapport with each other and muddle through quite well despite their forgetfulness (a side effect of medication, apparently!). Alistair Hay, Elgin Sport – Golf This year Alistair was chosen to play golf for Scotland against England, Ireland and Wales in the Special Olympics Great Britain competition at the Belfry Golf Club in Birmingham. Alistair was selected to play for Scotland due to a number of successful matches he has played for Scottish Disability Sport in Glasgow, Inverness and Fife over the past year. This year Scotland came third in the competition against very talented opposition. Alistair is very dedicated to the sport of golf and constantly strives to reduce his handicap and play to the best of his ability. Alistair is an all round sports person and enjoys participating in most sports.
Sports Person of the Year Award This award is for an individual who has achieved excellence at a regional, national or international level. Nominees for this category must be 18 years of age or over. Five individuals were short-listed for this category. Andrew MacDonald, Lossiemouth Sport – Athletics/Highland Games Andrew’s achievements in the field of athletics and highland games are too numerous to list. Andrew already holds over 35 ground records on the Scottish Highland Games circuit, which is more than any other Scottish Highland Games athlete. He also holds two national games records, the long jump which he broke in 2006 and the high jump which he broke this year. Andrew is the best multi-event athlete in the history of Scotland. This year Andrew has been awarded Scottish Athlete of the Year by the SGA, the first northern athlete ever to achieve this. He remains unbeaten in the long jump for over three years and his aim is to represent his country in the Commonwealth Games. Peter Ettles, Forres Sport – Cycling Peter this year took silver medal for his age group pursuit in the European Masters in track cycling. In the British Masters he also took gold medal in his age group pursuit, gold in his age group scratch race and silver in his age group 750m time trial. Peter is now concentrating his efforts on competing in the World Track Masters Championships due to take place in Australia in 2009. Without doubt one of the most talented cyclists to come from Moray. Eddie Harwood, Lhanbryde Sport – Orienteering Eddie is a member of Moravian Orienteering Club and has been leading the UK rankings list in his age group for many years. To compete at the highest levels of this sport requires phenomenal powers of concentration, discipline, fitness and an uncanny ability to read a map while running flat out over rough terrain. Eddie has now reached the stage where nobody in the UK is able to match him in his age group. In November 2007 he won the M55 race in the UK Veterans Home International and followed this up by winning the 2008 British Championships. A month later he then became Scottish champion and went on to compete for Great Britain in the World Veterans Championships in Portugal where he came a very creditable 5th place. He finished second in the 2008 Home International race in Northern Ireland. He runs in the M35 age class in the domestic league against runners 20 years his junior and he earned 3rd place in last year’s competition. Eddie, the orienteering oracle! Frank Barton, Keith Sport – Athletics In the world of Scottish athletics, Frankie is an iconic figure with ‘God-like’ status amongst his many admirers. Upon entering his 53rd year, Frankie’s athletics career now extends back 4 decades. The 2007/08 year has been an exceptionally good one and shows that he continues to ‘raise the bar’ despite his age. He led Keith & District AAC to a whitewash set of victories in the North Scotland Cross Country Winter League, winning the series, the team relays and the inter-club championships. He also personally won the series super-vet title. He was the outright winner of the Northern Scot Road Race series. He was invited to Ireland to take part in the Armagh International Races and broke the over-50s record for 6k. In the major 10k road races in Inverness and Aberdeen he picked up first vet prizes and was outright winner of the Moray 10k. Frankie packs in 20 hours a week of intense exercise over and above his day job. He also leads the Jog Scotland groups in Elgin and Keith and helps to train the younger members of Keith AAC. He has also done his bit for charity this year and has even embarked on Latin American dance classes (perhaps an indicator of a different type of competition in future?!). The legend that is, Frankie Barton! Mark Mitchell, Forres Sport – Athletics Mark is a member of Forres Harriers and continues to run in the Harriers vest unless competing for GB or Scotland. He was selected to be part of a squad of middle distance athletes to attend coaching and mentoring sessions with Kelly Holmes. Due to injury Mark had a late start to his 2008 season but still won the B final at the Olympic trials in Birmingham, the 800m UKA Challenge at the final in Eton, the under-23 inter-territorial 800m in Derby competing for Scotland and the Scottish Senior Championship 800m at the end of August. He was named Bank of Scotland under-20 athlete of the year at the end of 2007. He is also receiving National Lottery funding under the World Class Talent Programme in athletics. He is now concentrating on achieving qualifying times for the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010. |
