With award winners ranging from community volunteers to high-performance coaches, the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards are a celebration of outstanding individuals from across the sporting system.
The 2019 winners were selected from more than 350 nominations, which covered 47 sports and 32 local authorities. Read more about our 15 winners below!
Coach Developer of the Year - Doug MacDonald (canoeing)
Doug dedicates his time to delivering and developing high-quality coaching practice. He has led several projects that impact directly on coaches and athletes, both in the national squad and at grassroots level. He is well known for going beyond the call of duty to support athlete and coach development.
Read more about Doug's work
Volunteer of the Year - Thomas Buik (multi-sport)
Tom created the SAPC Community Sports Hub and is dedicated to making sport more financially accessible for all. He has increased the number of sports offered and is committed to supporting young people and fellow volunteers to ensure the hub remains a success.
Find out more about Thomas and SAPC Community Sports Hub
Young Volunteer of the Year - Aimee Work (Active Girls committee)
As a dedicated member of the Aberdeen Active Girls committee, Aimee is working tirelessly to get more girls participating in sport. She has volunteered over 200 hours in the past year, not only delivering weekly fitness and badminton sessions, but also speaking at events and in local primary schools to share her experiences.
Lifetime Achievement in Volunteering - Jack Calder (swimming)
As chairperson for Musselburgh Marlins ASC, Jack instilled a culture of family and fun. He actively promoted inclusion, encouraging the club to cater for everyone. Under his leadership and direction, the club has continued to support and develop para athletes with many achieving medal success at regional and national level.
Read more about Jack's work
Community Coach of the Year - Anne Glass (cycling)
As a coach at Drumchapel Cycle Hub, Anne has shown a huge commitment to making cycling more accessible. She has been the driving force behind dedicated sessions for children with additional support needs and has made great effort to increase the participation of women and girls.
Read more about Anne's work with Drumchapel Cycle Hub
Young Coach of the Year - Kieran McMaster (boxing)
As a sports mentor, Kieran has worked with some of the most vulnerable young people in East Ayrshire. Kieran has worked to create an open, safe and nurturing environment with the young people he works with to help them to reach their full potential. In many cases, his work has resulted in an increase of educational attainment.
Read more about Kieran's work
Young Person’s Coach of the Year - Mhairi Guthrie (basketball)
Mhairi runs basketball sessions including opportunities for children with additional support needs and transition sessions to help pupils moving up to secondary school. She’s gone above and beyond in her role and has also sought personal learning to support children and young people with additional support needs.
Read more about Mhairi's work
Performance Development Coach of the Year - Danielle Brayson (swimming)
Danielle coaches both world-class junior and para-sport athletes. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her athletes are fully supported through life’s challenges and makes efforts to ensure their wellbeing. Danielle’s ability to inspire has led to continued progression of athletes in what are often their most difficult years.
Read more about Danielle's work
Coaching For An Active Life - Care About Walking
Paths for All and Perth & Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership
The Care About Walking project aims to improve the lives of older people living in care homes in Perth & Kinross through increased opportunities to be active every day. The partnership's aim is for everyone to experience the physical benefits of walking, strength and balance activity, and the mental and social benefits of inclusion and confidence from being physically active in your community.
Read more about Care About Walking
Transforming Coaching - Scottish Disability Sport
The Scottish Disability Sport Young Start Apprenticeship is transforming the lives of young people with physical, learning and sensory disabilities and the participants they are influencing. 27 young people worked together with mentors to influence an estimated 1500+ participants throughout this year.
Lifetime Achievement in Coaching - Janice Eaglesham MBE (para athletics)
Believing passionately that people with disabilities have the right to the same opportunities in sport and in life, Janice tirelessly to see that happen. Janice was involved with the UK Sports Association for Learning Disability for over 15 years. She coached a number of athletes at performance level but equally encouraged many just to get active and enjoy sport.
Read our tribute to Janice on Sport First
The Janice Eaglesham Disability Coach of the Year - Majella Kerr (multi-sport)
Majella’s dedication to helping children with autism is immeasurable. Working with all abilities she has successfully organised a variety of activities in a safe and encouraging environment. Majella has taken it upon herself to attend courses to better communicate and aid the children she coaches.
Read more about Majella and her work
High Performance Coach of the Year - Sheila Swan (wheelchair curling)
Sheila has made a tremendous impact on wheelchair curling by encouraging athletes to achieve success. Sheila is an advocate for mentoring up and coming coaches to support players at community level on their journey to fulfil their potential. Sheila has demonstrated what the team can achieve at the highest level.
Read more about Sheila and her work
Technical Official of the Year - Mark Stringer (athletics)
Mark is among the highest-ranking athletics officials in Scotland and has carried out officiating duties at national, regional and club level. He officiates across Scotland nearly every week and has shown great commitment to his role in his willingness to help prepare events – often attending nights or even weeks before to help set up venues.
Read more about Mark and his work
Coaching Chain
This year's Coaching Chain Award recognises the coaches of international hockey player Sarah Robertson, who represents Scotland and Great Britain. Sarah’s coaches from school and club level through to the Scotland and GB squads are: Irene Logan, Janet Jack, Sam Judge, Jen Wilson, Sarah Kelleher, Kate Richardson Walsh and Danny Kerry.
Read more about Sarah's coaching chain
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Read more about the Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering Awards
