THE Scottish Women in Sport judging panel met earlier this week to agree on the short-list for our 2017 Awards dinner which is on 10th November 2017.

I am delighted to say, this was not an easy task. This year in particular, we have had an embarrassment of riches in every one of the eight categories, which made coming to a decision very difficult; definitely a good problem to have.

What was interesting though was not just the geographical spread but also the number of different sports that submitted nominations.

Our top award, The QTS sportswomen of The Year, has been opened to the public vote and again, because of the volume of nominations received, rather than name our top four, this year we have increased the short-list to six as the quality was only slightly exceeded by the quantity.

There is no doubt that each one of the potential winners thoroughly deserve their nomination as they have all achieved in their sport in 2017.

Voting will close on Friday October 27, so there is plenty time for you to vote for your favourite.

In the line-up we have, Catriona Mathew – golf, Laura Muir – athletics, Sammi Kinghorn – para-athletics, Grace Reid – diving, Katie Archibald – cycling, and Erin Cuthbert – football.

How can you choose between this group of athletes?

I am so glad that this decision is not mine to make, as I would still be here next year, trying to make up my mind. However if you have a favourite and want to vote for her, click onto our website and one more click will see your vote registered. http://swisawards.co.uk/vote.php

Interesting fact about Erin Cuthbert (football) is that she will go down in history as the first female player to score in a major championship, when she scored against Portugal in the Women’s Euros earlier this year at the tender age of 19.

I believe her boots, which she wore during that match, are now on display in the Hampden footballing museum.

ANOTHER, not so well known fact about Erin is that she has also donated the top she wore in the match against Spain to the Eddie Wolecki-Black fund.

Eddie is one of Scotland’s most successful coaches in the women’s game, as he led Glasgow City FC to their first-ever women’s Champions League quarter final, as well as numerous domestic victories.

City have just exited the UWCL this year on the away goal rule.

Coming back from 3-0 defeat in the first leg in Kazakhstan, City pushed themselves to the limit for the home tie, however even a 4-1 win on the night could not overturn the away goal rule and City exited the tournament at the last 32.

Eddie, following his long stint at City, moved to Airdrie FC and it was here that he suffered a major stroke during a match, just over 19 month ago and is still, to this day, recuperating.

At that time his wife, Emma Black, a former International player herself was pregnant and has subsequently given birth to their daughter Sophie.

A difficult time all round for the Wolecki-Black family, but I think the power of sport that both Eddie and Emma had at their back has seen them through the tough times and also the support from the extended football community has been a blessing.

Eddie is keen to travel to the US as they have a revolutionary procedure which is believed to have a profound effect on a stroke victim’s recovery. It is an anti-inflammatory drug called ETANERCEPT and is injected into the spinal fluid whilst the patient is hanging upside down.

The drawback, as always, is finance, so there has been a major push by many in the football world to help. There is a gofundme account set up for this and if you want to donate, this is the link. - gofundme.com/3sw53jc

This family have been through so much, but I don’t think anyone has ever heard them complain. They have a ‘can do’ attitude that has taken them through it all.

It would be great to see Eddie get this treatment, a fit and healthy man before his stroke, quality of life is now everything to him.