With the annual COV Awards cancelled this year, we couldn’t let the current restrictions stop us from recognising the great work that coaches, officials and volunteers have done throughout 2020.
So we decided to celebrate with a digital campaign throughout November 2020 ... and what a response!
Here is a snapshot of a few of the amazing community heroes who have provided opportunities for people to keep experiencing the benefits of sport and physical activity, and whose impact we've had the pleasure to celebrate.
Active Schools Stirling
Talk about going the extra mile! The Active Schools Stirling team recognised coaches and volunteers on social media throughout November - we put together the video below so that you can see them all in one place.
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS)
Not to be outdone, the national governing body for disability sport also recognised heroic individuals within their community on a daily basis during the campaign. Catch up with their Twitter feed.
SDS also enjoyed some recognition of their own when they won the Coaching for an Active Life award at the UK Coaching Awards. Discover the wonderfully innovative, inclusive Be Active Be Well project that brought about this success.
Donald Park
SDS were not the only Scottish winners at the UK Coaching Awards - legendary football coach Donald Park carried off the Lifetime Achievement Award. Read about his 50-year contribution to the development of Scotland's most popular sport.
National coverage
From far and wide, heroes emerged from communities right across Scotland. Check out the tweets below to find out where they came from.
#COVChampions | Ian Rendall has introduced hundreds of people of all ages, backgrounds & abilities to #climbing in #Orkney, enabling them to take part at all levels 👏
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 24, 2020
Read more 👇https://t.co/kDODiyQdtD @OrkneyCouncil @climb_scotland @Mountain_Scot @HLHSport @OrkneyClimbing pic.twitter.com/Ktr8fs6hbp
#COVChampions | Huge shout out to fitness instructor Cheryl Stewart from @ClickiminLC who has helped keep so many people active during lockdown 👏 @shetlandsport @ShetIslandsCll pic.twitter.com/LaEH55vVpU
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 28, 2020
#COVChampions | Half a century of service and counting 👏
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 25, 2020
Discover how Stevie Cullen keeps on running 🏃♂️ after 50 years of dedication to @rungarscube Athletics Club 👇https://t.co/07uT7kZGKd @scotathletics pic.twitter.com/OQC9CtoUSu
#COVChampions | Brilliant to see Lee Anne's hard work being recognised for her services to rugby and the wider Livingston community.
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 19, 2020
More on Lee Anne's journey and her love for the game can be found here 👇https://t.co/8fCnoSupIo
@G_HMedia @LivingstonRFC @ActiveWL https://t.co/f8okE11Y0F
#COVChampions | Gordon McCathie runs a variety of judo classes in the north-east for all ages and abilities 🥋
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 29, 2020
And Gordon has gone above and beyond to keep young people engaged with the sport throughout lockdown 👏@UltimateJudo @Sportaberdeen @JudoScotland pic.twitter.com/xMv867M9AF
#COVChampions | A coach at @FlairGymnastics in East Renfrewshire, William Smith has gone above and beyond to help young people continue to enjoy the benefits of sport 👏🤸 @EastRenCouncil @ActiveSchoolsER pic.twitter.com/UYWEpbAcOp
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 28, 2020
#COVChampions | Leading the dance
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 30, 2020
Discover the dance academy developing the next generation of dance leaders in #SouthLanarkshire
👉 https://t.co/bNcurhlDPx @ActiveSchoolsSL #ActiveSchools pic.twitter.com/4arxgjVAZR
#COVChampions | Coach Adam McGovern has had such a positive influence on the powerchair footballers at Ayrshire Tigers 👏 @The_SPFA @SDS_sport #SportForLife pic.twitter.com/0mdBU8jwaF
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) December 2, 2020
#COVChampions | Skills for life
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 27, 2020
Discover how coaches and volunteers develop transferable skills through Renfrewshire School of Sport Education (RSSE)
👉 https://t.co/eRKITq2YtL @ActiveSchoolsRC @RLSS_Paisley pic.twitter.com/bTnr90JVwT
#COVChampions | As a lynchpin of Thurso Football Academy, coach @alyn_gunn not only helps local kids take part in football - his influence has spread right across Europe thanks to his Tiny Tacklers booklet.
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 29, 2020
A true COV champion! 👏@HLHsocial @ScottishFA @ThursoFC pic.twitter.com/9PadZW1l4A
Is there a dedicated official in your sport who deserves recognition?
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 26, 2020
Check out this interview with Aileen Ross 🏑 and let us know if it makes you think of an umpire, referee or judge who is a true #COVChampion
More info 👉 https://t.co/XH8z3AGCw1 https://t.co/Vz3X9fccc9
#COVChampions | The Scottish Sports Futures Youth Panel have gone all out to help other young people stay active while restrictions are in place. They have sent out 150 sport and physical activity kit boxes to young people across Scotland.
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 25, 2020
Find out more👇https://t.co/W5RRIVjcW5 pic.twitter.com/RnFy94wWKe
#COVChampions | "You can see it has put a smile on everyone’s faces during a difficult time."
— sportscotland (@sportscotland) November 25, 2020
Clubs and community sport hubs have gone above and beyond by supplying food provisions to those most in need in their communities.
Read more 👇https://t.co/HCaerRgUPa pic.twitter.com/RZ95fPSb8E
Find out more
Visit the sportscotland website to learn about opportunities to get involved in coaching, volunteering and officiating
