The evening highlighted the many incredible sporting achievements from local athletes, as well as the phenomenal effort volunteers, coaches and club officers contribute to our wonderful sporting landscape, that is more vibrant than ever.

Phil Coleman continued:

“The calibre of this year’s finalists was exceptional, with every category showcasing an impressive level of talent and dedication. The event shone a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of local athletes and coaches, volunteers, and sports clubs across the area. We were proud to return to Perth Art Gallery for the fifth consecutive year to welcome guests and finalists and to celebrate the accomplishments of our winners. We extend our sincere thanks to the Perth & Kinross Sports Council for their continued support of the event.”

Gregor Miller (Judo)

Gregor competes in the +100kg category and achieved gold medals at the Scottish, English and Welsh Judo Championship events, as well as gaining a silver at the British Championships. His achievements throughout 2025 also led him to meet the minimum criteria for selection for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Ali Elrasheed (Tennis)

Ali had a remarkable 2025 season, highlighted by winning two national titles: the Scottish U14 Boys Singles Championship in September and the Scottish Junior Indoor Doubles Championship in March. He secured 13 major tournament victories across Scotland and England, including a double win at the North East of Scotland Championships in U14 Singles and Boys Doubles. Ali also made his debut on both the ITF World Tennis Tour and Tennis Europe Junior Tour, earning his first European title in the U14 Boys Doubles at the Lexus Junior International Edinburgh.

Alex Medley (Boccia)

Alex is a member of the Tayside regional squad, the Scottish National Squad, and the UK Boccia transition squad and throughout 2025 has consistently medalled at local, regional, and national competitions in the BC2 category. Alex’s debut at the World Boccia Championships in Sardinia was a highlight, where he won all his group matches before narrowly losing a close quarter‑final to the world number nine.

Robert Harrison (Triathlon)

Long distance triathlete Robert Harrison was the winner in the 2025 World Triathlon Long Distance Championships in the M50-54 category, and took age group gold in two Ironman 70.3 events, as well as 6th place in the 2025 Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Sheila Swan (Curling)

Sheila (the 2025 Scottish Women in Sport Coach of the Year Winner) coached Hugh Nibloe and Charlotte McKenna to silver in mixed doubles at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in March 2025. Sheila is currently leading the largest-ever GB Paralympic squad at the Milano-Cortina Winter Paralympics.

Sophie Maxtone (Netball)

Sophie is an exceptional young leader whose dedication to netball and her community is demonstrated through extensive volunteering and continuous personal development, completing over 100 volunteering hours in 2025. She supports Blairgowrie High School’s netball programme, helping grow participation significantly while mentoring others. Sophie represents young people locally through the Perth & Kinross Young People’s Sports Panel and as a Young Ambassador.

Perth Academy Curling Team

Perth Academy won the 2025 Scottish Schools Curling Championships, with Skip Cara Thomson, Rebecca Hamilton, Stewart Hamilton and Ewan Barrie working together over three days to eventually overcome a very strong Banchory Academy team in the final.

Team Lockhart (Curling)

Team Lockhart showed exceptional resilience and excellence in winning gold at the 2025 World Seniors Curling Championships in Canada. Despite a teammate suffering a serious brain aneurysm just before the event—the team rallied, with their coach stepping in as alternate. Made up of Jackie Lockhart (skip), Mairi Milne (third), Claire Milne (second), and Katie Loudon (lead), they defeated Canada 10–2 in a dominant final performance. In 2025 they also won the Scottish Curling Seniors Championships and the Edinburgh International Senior Championships, retaining their title from 2024.

Ian Somerville (Auchterarder Community Sports & Recreation)

Ian, the voluntary chair of Auchterarder Community Sports and Recreation, led the ambitious project to create a new mountain bike skills area and pump track, ensuring the delivery of a world‑class facility that tackles rural inequality and enhances the town’s largest play park. Ian managed complex planning processes, land leases, and contractor agreements while providing unwavering support to ACSR’s Development Manager throughout.  Ian also helped progress plans for a new community toilet facility also in the play park, and somehow still found the time to remain involved in local core path maintenance work and volunteering as a trishaw pilot, supporting bike rides for older residents.

Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Football Trust

Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Football Trust uses football to improve health, wellbeing, and life chances for people in Eastern Perthshire, particularly those living in Rattray’s (SIMD 1) areas. Through its Extra Time project, delivered with Rattray Primary School and national partners, the Trust provided free childcare, nutritious meals, sports sessions, and wider family support, including employability pathways to build confidence and strengthen social connections for children and families facing social or economic challenges. In 2025, the Trust expanded significantly, opening a new community facility, launching breakfast clubs, increasing after‑school provision, delivering funded holiday camps, and employing new staff.

Bob McFarlane – Rossie Priory Cricket Club

Bob has dedicated over 60 years to Rossie Priory Cricket Club, serving as player, captain, coach, committee member, president, and long‑standing groundsman. A highly accomplished cricketer, he has taken more than 800 wickets, scored over 15,000 runs, held 500+ catches for the club and was captain for approximately 20 years. Bob helped to create a thriving junior section, coaching over 800 young players and alongside, has maintained the cricket ground for more than 35 years. Bob raised £180,000 through long‑running community fundraisers and went on to become President of Cricket Scotland, championing fair treatment for players and strengthening structures for umpires and officials. He also led the merger that created the Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union—all while balancing a 40‑year civil service career and family life—leaving an extraordinary legacy in local and national cricket.