I WAS the proverbial swan on Friday night, looking calm and collected above water whilst paddling like a wild thing underneath.
Yes, it was the SW/S Awards Dinner, and as usual, there was the inevitable last minute hitches that are so difficult to avoid. The trick is to realise that those in attendance are not aware of any issues, so don’t make a big deal of it. However when you mislay your reading glasses just prior to reading out your speech of welcome, then perhaps there are just a few ruffled feathers showing!
This was probably, in my opinion, the best Awards Dinner yet. The setting at GoGlasgow was amazing and the room was packed to capacity. As long as you have a good venue, a nice meal and something wet in a glass, then you are off to a good start.
We had a wonderful mix of people on the night and had guests as far travelled as Australia and Germany. Our main award of the night, the QTS Sportswomen of the Year, went to Samantha Kinghorn.
It may have been better to present Sammi with a trophy cabinet, as she has picked up so many awards this year. Preceding Sammi was the up and coming Erin Wallace, a middle distance runner. Erin, who picked up sportscotland Young Sportswomen of the Year, presented Sammi with a Sheila Fleet necklace as well as the main award, which was presented to her by QTS Director, Phyllis McLeish.
Both athletes had been training together earlier that day, neither aware that each other was going to be named as a winner later that night.
Our Brand Oath Campaign of the Year winner, as well as Team Scotland’s Team of the Year award, went to Netball Scotland for The Sirens and U21 World Youth Netball Squad respectively. Great work by Netball Scotland throughout the year with #Changingthegame and they have positioned themselves well for another winning year next year in 2018.
It was a time of sadness for our Scottish Sports Futures Coach of the Year. The winner Tina Gordon, and driving force behind Wheelchair Basketball in Scotland, couldn’t attend due to a family bereavement, however she sent along a replacement to pick up the award on her behalf.
Commonwealth Games high jumper Jayne Nisbet was named Frame Role Model of the Year and was very open about her struggles with food throughout her athletics career. Jayne has recently released a book, Free-ed which is a book of hope and inspiration to help those in similar situations come forward and start working towards their own freedom. Jayne’s bravery through such a difficult time has created a passionate desire to help others overcome and avoid eating disorders.
Finally our own award, SW/S Champion of the Year, was Claire Bath from Fyrish Gymnastics Club in Alness, just outside Inverness. Claire took on the role of chairperson at the club just over two years ago. Since then she has worked tirelessly to transform the club into one of the most well-known and respected clubs in the Highlands and has increased participation by 400%.
Understanding early on the many benefits young girls can gain from being involved in Gymnastics, Clare offered them a real opportunity through the sport to gain confidence as well as the more obvious increase in their health and wellbeing.
She recognised the power gymnastics had on self-worth through mastering difficult skills and how many of the young girls took the confidence they had gained from her and used it in other areas of their lives.
Finally, Corinne Hutton, our main speaker, who in 2013 through illness had both her hands amputated as well as both legs below the knee, tweeted: “Thank you There were many incredible women in the room – I bow to you all!”It gives you an indication of what kind of night it was!
So 60 minutes before the dinner I was saying to myself ‘never again’ and six minutes after the dinner ended, I was already planning our 2018 Awards.
If you would like to be a part of 2018 SW/S Awards, drop me a line now. There are so many different ways you can help and I would be more than happy to chat to you about them.
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