A Dundee coach has been recognised for her dedication to wheelchair basketball after she was named sportscotland’s Young Coach of the Year
Gemma Lumsdaine is a Scotland under-23 wheelchair basketball player whose hard work as a coach in recent years has led to some brilliant results.
Gemma has coached the juniors at the Dundee Dragons for the last two years, leading by example and showing a huge impact on the club’s youngsters.
As well as coaching the Junior Dragons, Gemma coaches the Tayside Regional Squad and she is assistant coach for Scotland U19s, supporting two of the Dundee Dragons to represent the UK in the Invictus Games and the GB under-22 team.
Under Gemma’s guidance as lead coach the Senior Dragons team won a memorable double as they clinched the Scottish League and Cup.
She juggles her coaching and playing responsibilities with an ambassadorial role in the sport with Basketball Scotland and has presented at the UK Coaching Conference, the Scottish Women's Convention, and was also asked to address the House of Lords at the launch of ‘Supporting Tomorrow's Superstars’.
But despite her tireless work, Gemma says that she gets more out of the sport than she puts in, saying that having a key role in player improvement is just rewards for all the hours she dedicates on and off the court.
She said: “It is really important to keep learning and trying to improve yourself as a coach.
"My favourite part about being a coach is seeing players develop, not necessarily on the court but develop as people, seeing their skills and confidence increase and seeing their lives improve as a result.
“Building trust and a rapport with athletes is really important, that’s how you get the best out of someone. It means you have a relationship which isn’t just on the court, you can help them with other parts of life too.”
Praise for Gemma
Gemma picked up her award on an evening where inspirational coaches, officials and volunteers from all over Scotland were celebrated across 13 categories for their significant contribution to sport over the past 12 months.
She won praise from Stewart Harris, sportscotland chief executive, who said "Gemma has done an incredible job in a short space of time in wheelchair basketball. The commitment, dedication and support she offers her club and players can’t be overstated and she’s a fully deserving winner of the Young Coach of the Year award."
About the COV Awards
The sportscotland Coaching Officiating and Volunteer Awards 2018 were held at Glasgow City Chambers on Thursday, 15 November and were a celebration of many of the unsung heroes who support and develop sport in Scotland.
Stewart Harris added: “Every year across Scotland, thousands of dedicated sporting enthusiasts devote their time, knowledge and skills to help others achieve their sporting goals.
“Our Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards provide us with a chance to celebrate the great sporting achievements that are taking place every day and congratulate individuals on their commitment to Scottish sport.
“At sportscotland we are implementing a world-class sporting system at every level in Scotland and we can only do so with the support of the many dedicated coaches, officials and volunteers.”
At the event, hosted by BBC Scotland’s Bryan Burnett, coaches, officials and volunteers involved in squash, wheelchair basketball, para swimming, badminton, rugby, judo, lawn bowls, swimming, football, athletics and boccia were recognised for the many hours they dedicate to helping others compete at the best level they can.
Find out more
Visit the sportscotland website for information about the COV Awards.
