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sportMoray Recognition Awards 2009 The 2009 sportMoray Recognition Awards took place on the 26th 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 2009 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). Two individuals were short-listed for this category: Margery Swinton, Aberlour Sport – Athletics Margery has been involved in athletics coaching for more than 14 years. She currently trains more than 20 x 8-16 year olds, 3 times per week in a range of athletic disciplines. She has expanded Knockando Athletics Club significantly over the years through increasing membership and purchasing equipment through her fundraising efforts and successful grant funding applications. The club is open to all abilities and members attend from as far afield as Dufftown and Orton. Many of her athletes are also members of Moray Roadrunners and Marjory has shown incredible commitment through nurturing, encouraging and supporting these athletes through the years. She has also escorted these athletes to competitions across the North of Scotland on a regular basis. Margery has also been a regular coach for over 14 years with Moray Road Runners and has officiated for Scottish Athletics for 11 years.
Bill Nicol, Forres Sport – Curling Bill has been curling since he was a small boy. He came to Darnaway in 1968 and was instrumental in founding the Moray Estates Bonspiel with 52 curlers from all over Scotland participating. He set about revamping Dyke Curling Club and in 1970, this club was re-constituted as the Darnaway Curling Club. Bill was the main instructor of this club and a founder member introducing curling to many novices. He serves as secretary and president and is now an honorary member. Bill then served as Moray Province President from 1978-81 and was Secretary from 1987-2000, he was made honorary member in 2001. Bill was a very prominent and successful curler, curling in many international and local competitions. He has now turned his attention to coaching and is Convenor of Moray Province Coaching Development Group – promoting the game and passing on his skill and knowledge to a new generation of coaches and curlers. To many curlers both past and present, he is ‘Mr Curling’ for his dedication for over 40 years.
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. Jeff Wright, Forres Sport – Golf Jeff is an Academy Member of the Scottish Golf Union. Since 2007, he has been a member of the SGU Development Academy, one of only 72 junior players in Scotland selected for this programme. Jeff is a member of the SGU North District Junior Squad and Forres Golf Club’s Men’s Competition Team and was Forres Golf Club Junior Captain for 2008/09. In the SGU North District Championships in 2009, he claimed 2nd and 3rd placed finishes in the under 21 section. In May 2009, Jeff became the Forres Gold Club Junior Section Course record holder with a gross score of 63, only 1 off the men’s record. In May 2009, he also achieved scratch handicap. Jeff was selected in October 2009 to represent Grampian at the Houston Golf Programme in the USA. Throughout the season, Jeff has been the winner of several club and open championships including the Thompson Cup, Rover Cup and various Monthly Medals. The next Paul Lawrie indeed!
Alan Clark, Forres Sport – Swimming Alan is currently a member of the Scottish National Youth Swimming Squad and has been for the past 2 years. This includes 3 training camps through the season, one of which is a 5 day camp during Christmas holidays. Alan currently trains six days a week which entails 15¼ hours minimum on a weekly basis. In the North of Scotland Under 15 Championships in December 2008, Alan claimed gold in the 400m individual medley, 100m back, 200m individual medley and 200m back. Alan competed at the Scottish Short Course National Open Championships in January 2009 winning bronze in the 200m individual medley. In the North of Scotland under 15 championships in March 2009, Alan claimed gold at the 100m and 200m back. At the Scottish National Age Groups in April 2009, he participated in 6 events, getting to the final of 3 of these with his highest placing being 4th in the 200m fly. Alan’s Great Britain rankings are currently as follows: 14th in 100m back, 19th in 200m back, 27th in 200m individual medley and 37th on the 400m individual medley. Alan is obviously a very talented swimmer and has shown tremendous commitment to this sport. Lewis Barclay, Elgin Sport – Kick Boxing Lewis has had an excellent year in the sport of kickboxing where he has been crowned Scottish, British and European Champion in his category. At 16 years of age, he has recently been awarded Fighter of the Year Award in the Sansum Black Belt Academy across the 11 branches that exist. This is a fantastic achievement considering the number of fighters that are now members of the Sansum Black Belt Academy that stretches from Orkney to Keith.
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. Eight individuals were short-listed for this category. Hannah Duncan, Forres Sport – Badminton Hannah is a member of the Badminton Scottish Satellite Squad, Badminton Moray Performance Squad and Highland Regional Squad. In January 2009, Hannah took first place in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles under 15 Highland Group competition. In March 2009, she then took first place in the Scottish School under 15 singles competition. Hannah then followed this up in April with a second place in the singles and first place in the doubles and mixed doubles under 17 Highland Group competition. Hannah has to commit numerous hours of training on a weekly basis particularly to the Scottish Satellite Squad which takes place on Sundays in Glasgow. A very committed individual indeed! Eleanor Duncan, Forres Sport – Athletics Eleanor’s cross country achievements over the past year have included gold in the North District Cross Country League and Championship, 14th in the Inter-District Championships, 23rd in the Scottish National Championships, Gold in the North of Scotland Schools Championship and 7th in the Scottish Schools Championship (resulting in British Schools selection in which she came 14th). In the summer of 2009, she took gold in the 1500m North District Track Championships, was the 1st lady home in the Moray Woodlands Run, came 5th in the 1500m and took silver in the 3000m Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships. Eleanor is part of the Bank of Scotland (Liz McColgan) Endurance Squad and the Grampian Regional Endurance Squad. Definitely a Paula Radcliffe in the making! Kirstie Rogan, Forres Sport – Hill Running Kirstie trains approximately five days per week with Jog Scotland Forres, Forres Harriers and for her own individual purposes. She is a member of the Grampian Regional Endurance Squad in Aberdeen. She has competed in the North District Cross Country League for 6 years coming 2nd in the under 17’s category this year. In May 2009, Kirstie ran in the Scottish Hill Running Championships coming in 4th and in the Scotty Hill race when she came in 3rd – these were both Scottish Selection races. These achievements were good enough for her to be selected once again to run for Scotland in Germany in June 2009 when she competed in the World Mountain Running Association Youth Challenge. Kirstie is an exceptional role model to her younger peers and often helps out the junior section of Forres Harriers. Emma Bowie, Orton Sport – Athletics Emma has worked steadily and with great determination to improve her ability in the discipline of discus. She finished this season with a throw of 25.74m to be crowned top under 13 girl in Scotland and 8th ranked in the UK. This is a fantastic achievement for Emma particularly considering the lack of adequate discus throwing facilities in Moray, which requires regular trips to Inverness to practice on competitions standard throw circles. At age 12, Emma is definitely one to watch out for in the future! Dominique Sutherland, Forres Sport – Tang Soo Doo Dominique has excelled in her sport and currently holds titles at Scottish, British, European and International Level. This year, she returned from Rotterdam as a double world champion. The 2nd dan black belt has over 90 trophies to her name and juggles her own personal arduous training programme with teaching others at her college and competing across the world. Despite all this success, Dominique is a very down to earth young adult and is 100% committed to her sport of Tang Soo Do. Natasha Adkinson, Forres Sport – Para Equestrian Dressage In Natasha’s first competitive season, she has been selected to represent Great Britain in the FE1 Para Equestrian Dressage International Junior Event. Natasha attained the highest score in the dressage test with a personal best score of 71.67%. In the dressage to music event, she came a very close second which was fabulous considering it was the first time she had ridden the test to the actual music. In the RDA National Championships, she was not only the winner of the Junior Competition, but the overall champion for Grade III. At this event, she was also part of the winning team for the Regional Dressage event. Due to Natasha’s talent, she regularly receives training from highly respected trainer, Clive Milkins, who also trains Paralympics gold medallist Sophie Christenson. Natasha is currently a member of the Regional Foundation Squad and is aiming to compete for the World Class Squad in 2010 and the Paralympics in 2016. Kelly Gammack, Elgin Sport - Athletics Kelly started the season in April at the North District Championships winning 3 gold’s in the 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump. Due to these excellent results, she was selected to represent two composite teams, the Highlands and Islands Performance Participation Opportunity (HIPPO) and the Grampian area squad. At the Scottish Young Athletes meeting in July, she was selected top female HIPPO of the competition. In August, she competed at the Scottish Young Athletes League Final with the HIPPO team and came home with two gold medals, one silver medal and the title of top under 13 girl at the competition. She then competed for Aberdeen in the Scottish Woman’s League and won the 200m and came 3rd in the 100m. In the long jump, she was 4th with a jump of 4.36m which claimed Elgin AAC’s under 13’s girl’s record. Holly Cantrill, Elgin Sport – Gymnastics Holly suffers from various degrees of epilepsy, cerebral palsy and moderate learning difficulties but this has not deterred her from achieving great success in the sport of gymnastics and movement for people with disabilities (GMPD). This year, Holly has been successful in being crowned Scottish and British Champion in her relevant categories within the Gymnastics GMPD discipline.
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. Forres Bluefins Swimming Team has had an outstanding year both locally and nationally. The team consists of players from age 8-17 and have been competing the length and breadth of the country. Locally, Forres Bluefins have been unbeaten, winning the team trophy for best performance at the Forres, Elgin and Buckie Swimming Galas. At the North District Open Championships, the boy’s team won silver in the 200m medley and freestyle relays whilst the girls were double gold medallists in their 200m medley and freestyle events. On an individual basis at the same championships, there were a number of Forres Bluefins successes with 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals being achieved. Nationally, one of the swimmers won a bronze medal at the Scottish National Age Group Championships and there was further success on the British stage with 15 year old Alan Clark qualifying to compete at the British Youth Championships (first Forres Bluefins swimmer ever to achieve this). Such was the success of the Club swimmers, 3 members have been selected to compete as part of the North of Scotland team at the Inter-Counties Championships in Sheffield. Currently six swimmers from the club are involved in the district regional programme and one swimmer in the Scottish Youth Development Squad. Hopeman Primary School Football team This year Hopeman Primary took part in the Scottish Primary Schools Football Cup Completion which is a nationwide event. The Hopeman team took part in the regional heats which took place in Dingwall and were undefeated after 8 games which qualified them onto the next stage held in Perth. In Perth they again came through undefeated to win the regional section where they went onto represent Hopeman/Moray in the National Finals. The National Finals took place in the new Torryglen indoor stadium in Glasgow where the 8 Regional Section winners competed for the coveted title. Despite some outstanding performances, the team failed to secure a win at the National Finals event but they won many fans throughout the day with their never say die attitude and excellent sportsmanship character. West End Primary Badminton Sportshall Challenge Team This Badminton Sportshall Challenge is a National Schools Competition devised by the National Governing Body which targets Primary 3-5 pupils and entails them competing in various challenges that all relate to the sport of badminton. In total, 1610 participants from 161 primary schools took part in this years challenge. West End Primary came out top in the local Elgin competition and then went onto win the Moraywide Regional Finals section. This resulted in them going forward and competing against the other 8 Regional Final winners in the National Finals at Perth in June. West End in previous years has competed well in the National Finals but this year was their year and they came out in first place thus being crowned National Primary Badminton Sports Hall Challenge Winners. This fantastic achievement is credit for all the dedication and enthusiasm from school staff into developing the sport in the school.
Senior Team Award This award is for a team that has achieved excellence at either regional, national or international level. Two teams were short-listed for this category. Last season saw the debut of the Eagles Basketball Team in the Basketball Grampian League. Competing against teams from all over Grampian, their target was to win 2 games throughout the course of the season. In spectacular style, they won 7 out of their 8 games finishing top of the second division, they then had to beat Grampian Police in the play off to secure the title which they successfully did. The Eagles also competed in and won the Silver Cup, beating Garioch in the final. Throughout the season, one of the Eagles players also made the Scottish under 23 squad and another player is involved in the coaching side of the high performance pathway of Basketball Scotland talent development programme and under 14 squad. As well as all of the above successes, the club has put a significant amount of time into the youth development of basketball across the whole of the Moray area. I am sure you will agree these are fantastic achievements for a club in its first competitive season. Moray Wheelchair Curling Club Moray Wheelchair Club has gone from strength to strength over the past year. They continue to play in the local Province League in Elgin against experienced players in the traditional game or ‘standies’ as they are known to wheelchair users. This year has seen them promoted a division in the league. Many traditional players are amazed at the accuracy of their shots and wonder how it is possible for the wheelchair users to play the game without sweeping stones. The team travel all over Scotland entering National Competitions and they have come second in every one of these competitions - The National Pairs, The Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association Championship, The Friendship Trophy, The Thomas Tunnock Bonspeil and The British Open. The club now has four members who play internationally and attend Team GB training camps regularly. The success of the club has attracted new members from as far afield as Aberdeen and Lothian & Borders. The club has definitely put wheelchair curling on the map!
Club Level Award This award is presented to an individual sports person who has made a valuable contribution at club level. Two individuals were short-listed for this category. George Grant Sport – Bowling George does a great deal of voluntary work at Fochabers Bowling Club as greenkeeper and caretaker. George is at the club on a near daily basis cutting the grass, weeding, taking care of the plants/shrubs as well as doing ‘odd-jobs’ in the bowling club and opening/closing the club as and when required. During George’s time at the club he has been president four times and currently holds the vice-president role this year. He has also represented the Club at the Scottish Club Championships at Ayr in the triples section. A great ambassador for Fochabers Bowling Club. Graham Calder, Elgin Sport – Football Graham has acted as a volunteer referee at Elgin Boys Club for over five years. Elgin Boys Club runs over an 11 week period on an annual basis in Elgin. During this 11 week period, there are numerous games played throughout the week to fulfil all the fixtures. Graham has given up his time over the past 5 years and has rarely missed a nights refereeing over these sessions, only reason he has missed a night would have been due to work commitments. Without Graham’s commitment and support, Elgin Boys Club would be unable to fulfil their programme of 191 games per season.
Coach Award This award is presented to an individual who has contributed locally to the development of sport through coaching at their chosen level. Three individuals were short-listed for this award. Margery Swinton, Aberlour Sport – Athletics Margery has been involved in athletics coaching for more than 14 years. She currently trains more than 20 x 8-16 year olds, 3 times per week in a range of athletic disciplines. She has expanded Knockando Athletics Club significantly over the years through increasing membership and purchasing equipment through her fundraising efforts and successful grant funding applications. The club is open to all abilities and members attend from as far afield as Dufftown and Orton. Many of her athletes are also members of Moray Roadrunners and Marjory has shown incredible commitment through nurturing, encouraging and supporting these athletes through the years. She has also escorted these athletes to competitions across the North of Scotland on a regular basis. Margery has also been a regular coach for over 14 years with Moray Road Runners and has officiated for Scottish Athletics for 11 years Angela Bell, Forres Sport – Badminton Although Angela coaches in a professional capacity she allocates many hours providing voluntary support to the individuals she coaches and also to the development of badminton within Moray and further afield. Angela, a past Scottish Junior Champion, is dedicated to her sport and committed to developing players to their full potential. Over the past 12 years, it is evident that her input has been paramount to the success of a number of Highland players (which includes Moray) as they have climbed up the ranks and are now part of the Badminton Scotland Satellite Squad. Angela has currently seven of her badminton protégés ranked within the top 8 in Scotland from under 12 – under 17 level which is an amazing experience. Angela coaches from grassroots level at school/community clubs to performance squad level and has been coaching convener for Highland, Moray as well as working closely with Aberdeen’s hire players through the years. Angela’s commitment to the sport of badminton has also seen her take squads of players to Denmark to compete in tournaments to develop, encourage and motivate them to go even further in the game. Carol Matheson, Aberlour Sport – Tennis Carol has delivered tennis coaching in both a professional and voluntary capacity in the Moray area for over 20 years. Carol was instrumental in introducing Keith Meisner into the world of tennis and he is currently ranked 170th in the British Tennis Rankings and 2nd in the North of Scotland County. Carol has been involved in delivering grassroots tennis in Elgin, Buckie, Aberlour, Keith, Dufftown and Cullen and easily developed the skills of 100+ people on a weekly basis over the years. She has also been involved in the Development Squad sessions over the years helping talented players reach their full potential. Due to Carol’s passion and involvement in tennis coaching, the Lawn Tennis Association awarded the Local Authority of the Year Trophy in 2003 for commitment to the sport of tennis to Moray Council, this would never have been achieved without the timeless hours Carol dedicated to coaching on the tennis courts. Carol has been a major driver in developing the school/club link between Cullen Primary School and Cullen Bowling & Tennis Club. Carol is seen down at the Club every Tuesday from sunrise to sunset, coaching children of all ages in tennis. She also helped the club with a lottery bid to refurbish their courts where they now have a membership of 80+ adults and children. Carol is now supposedly meant to have retired and taking life easy but she just can’t put that tennis racquet down! Special Achievement Award This special award will be given to an individual who has attained an outstanding personal achievement in sport through overcoming adversity. Three nominations were short-listed for this category. James Taylor, Forres Sport – Kick Boxing James is registered as disabled having been born with Talipes and from an early age, his parents were warned that he may never walk properly. Throughout his early years, James found it hard to walk without pain but following several operations and regular visits to consultants, he has slowly overcome his disability. Above this, James was also diagnosed with ADHD which affects his concentration, confidence and self-esteem. In 1999, James expressed an interest in kickboxing and over the past ten years, he has progressed through the various belts and is now a black belt second dan. His list of achievements over the past year have included 2nd in boys semi contact WAKO Slovenia Open, 2nd in boys light contact WAKO Scottish Open, 1st in boys team event, 3rd in boys semi contact IAKSA Scottish Championships and 2nd in Men’s Open SBBA National Championships. In February 2009, he came 3rd in junior men’s light contact at the WAKO British Championships which resulted in him being selected for WAKO GB Squad. In May 2009, he came 2nd in the boys semi contact and 3rd in the men’s team event in the IAKSA Open in Wishaw. James’ strength, courage and determination to the sport he loves has proved an inspiration to not only his parents, coaching staff and friends, but to anyone who meets James, that disability is a hurdle that can be overcome with the right attitude and encouragement. Holly Cantrill, Elgin Sport – Gymnastics Holly suffers from various degrees of epilepsy, cerebral palsy and moderate learning difficulties but this has not deterred her from achieving great success in the sport of gymnastics and movement for people with disabilities (GMPD). This year, Holly has been successful in being crowned Scottish and British Champion in her relevant categories within the Gymnastics GMPD discipline. Natasha Adkinson, Forres Sport – Para Equestrian Dressage In Natasha’s first competitive season, she has been selected to represent Great Britain in the FE1 Para Equestrian Dressage International Junior Event. Natasha attained the highest score in the dressage test with a personal best score of 71.67%. In the dressage to music event, she came a very close second which was fabulous considering it was the first time she had ridden the test to the actual music. In the RDA National Championships, she was not only the winner of the Junior Competition, but the overall champion for Grade III. At this event, she was also part of the winning team for the Regional Dressage event. Due to Natasha’s talent, she regularly receives training from highly respected trainer, Clive Milkins, who also trains Paralympics gold medallist Sophie Christenson.
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. Three individuals were short-listed for this category. Eddie Harwood, Urquhart Sport – Orienteering Eddie Harwood has been involved in orienteering both locally and nationally for longer than most people who know him can remember. Now aged 57, he continues to compete at the very pinnacle of the sport and is a key member of the Scottish Veterans Squad. He was 2nd in his age class in last year’s Veteran Home Internationals. He was 5th at the JK International Festival in April and went on to become Scottish Champion in his age group at Kingussie in May. His focus this year has been the World Masters Games and despite sustaining an injury during the Moray Forest Run series, through an intensive period of treatment he overcame this setback. In the lead up to this world event, he won the Australian Middle-Distance Championship race in Victoria State and came 2nd in the Australian Long-Distance Championships a week later. As well as competing, Eddie is one of the main driving forces of Moravian Orienteers. He is nationally regarded as one of the country’s experts in this technically demanding sport. He recently planned the courses for the Scottish Sprint Orienteering Championships and the Scottish Relay Championships. A true talisman for the sport of orienteering. Peter Ettles, Forres Sport – Cycling In May 2009, Peter was placed 2nd in the Scottish Cycling 10 mile time trial championship, covering 10 miles in a time of 20 minutes 56 seconds. At the age of 45, a performance of this magnitude is almost unprecedented and promised a season alive with possibilities. He has also set a personal best for the 25 mile time trial on the open road. This season, Peter has successfully defended his Track Masters Championship titles at Scottish and British level. At the Scottish Track Masters, he won gold in the 3k pursuit and silver in the 750m time trial. The undoubted highlight of his season to date was winning gold medal and pulling on the Champions jersey at the European Track Masters 3k pursuit. In this event he also beat the current Danish World Champion. As well as setting personal bests at every distance entered in 2009, he has posted a new age related world record for the 3k pursuit. Dominique Sutherland, Forres Sport – Tang Soo Do Dominique has excelled in her sport and currently holds titles at Scottish, British, European and International Level. This year, she returned from Rotterdam as a double world champion. The 2nd dan black belt has over 90 trophies to her name and juggles her own personal arduous training programme with teaching others at her college and competing across the world. Despite all this success, Dominique is a very down to earth young adult and is 100% committed to her sport of Tang Soo Do |
