Sponsored by Perth and Kinross Sports Council

SPIRIT OF SPORT AWARDS- THE WINNERS!  

We were overwhelmed by the quality and number of nominations we received; really reflective of the amazing work done by organisations and individuals over the past year to keep sport and communities in P&K going. Despite very tough competition below is a list of all our winners! 

The Creative Activity Award

The Creative Activity Award is for a sports organisations who, in the face of adversity, used their creativity to keep members and participants engaged at a time when normal sessions could not take place. And by doing this, supported their members wellbeing whilst motivating them to keep fit and healthy in safe ways. 

The Finalists were Perth Triathlon Club, Salle Ossian Fencing Club and Perth City Swim Cub. 

Winner: Salle Ossian Fencing Club 

Salle Ossian Fencing Club have supported their members through their creativity and enthusiasm since the start of lockdown. With daily fitness challenges being delivered virtually the member’s fitness levels could stay high and all the members could stay connected. Whilst delivering this, the coaches were coming up with plans of how to coach fencing once lockdown was eased; this included the purchase of mats for outdoor fencing and the development of new games and coaching techniques- along with lots of use for the club dummies who fought everyone attending sessions. More recently the club has organised mindfulness sessions, video analysis sessions, collaborated with the Welsh junior team and had guest speakers. Congratulations Salle Ossian Fencing Club, true creativity and resilience shown for both virtual and in person training. 

The Community Support Award

The Community Support Award is for sports organisations who used their existing position in their community to go above and beyond; reaching out to those most needing help and providing a service to the vulnerable. 

The Finalists were St Madoes Active Sports Hub and St Johnstone Community Trust.

Winner: St Madoes Active Sports Hub 

St Madoes Active Sports Hub have gone above and beyond their normal community projects to support everyone during lockdown. Their bike storage was converted to a community food larder, they delivered lunches, freshly baked bread, family meals, groceries, prescriptions and coffee to those in need of support. Sport and exercise classes were set up where possible with online programmes, various fitness classes, boccia, running, cycling and more. Sports equipment like swing balls were even delivered to local families! They supported the isolated through befriending phone calls, whilst also providing dementia support, bereavement support, a mental health walk and loan or supply of mobile phones and tablets. During all of this they continued to raise fund for the outdoor MUGA they are building and organised a free bike repair scheme. Congratulations St Madoes Active Sports Hub, a truly valuable resource to the community that has been a lifeline for many. 

The Inspirational Volunteer Award

The Inspirational Volunteer Award is for a volunteer that has contributed an outstanding amount of time and creativity to their own sporting organization, and was key in redesigning a sports organization to allow for a form of return to activity.  

The Finalists were Ross Paterson from Glenearn Badminton Club, Carol McPartland and Gordon Currie from Perth City Swim Club (joint finalists) and Fiona Dodds from Kinross Otters Swimming Club. 

Winner: Carol and Gordon from Perth City Swim Club  

Carol and Gordon have worked tirelessly to keep their members engaged during lockdown, not easy when swimming was affected so much. In addition, their home pool was flooded in August last year so the search for pool time elsewhere had to start- along with implementing all the COVID regulations. The members were kept active through encouragement to join in with Joe Wicks PE, travel to all the Olympic cities collectively, the Juna-A-gram challenge and land training. Carol engaged with other organisations and partners to find pool time for the club whilst working with the club covid officer to write risk assessments and communicate with all members. Gordon was behind much of the creativity and administration of collecting miles to go towards their travels around the world and releasing the letters daily for the June-A-gram which eventually spelt “Perth City Walk Around the World”. They have maintained 83% of their membership; which when unable to swim much really is a testament to the volunteers that keep the club running! Congratulations Carol and Gordon, outstanding effort, commitment and resilience demonstrated in a time when the club needed you the most. 

The Community Inspiration Award

The Community Inspiration Award is for someone who has proved to be an inspiration to their community by doing something such as using their creativity to make others active, completing an outstanding feat to raise money or overcoming significant challenges but stayed positive throughout. 

The finalists were Fraser Bisset from Blairgowrie Rugby Club, Graeme Doig from Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club and Perth Strathtay Harriers and Willie Donaldson from Blairgowrie Bowling Club. 

Winner: Willie Donaldson 

Willie is President of Blairgowrie Bowling Club and during the past year allowed the bowling clubhouse to become a foodbank. Willie manned the foodbank 3 days a week so that struggling families and individuals could access food. Willie also helped to coordinate food access for everyone in the community, sourced food, manned the foodbank and delivered food regularly. He also sourced education materials for children, including things to help with home schooling like jotters. In addition, he created the Facebook group "Bowls of Help" to support the community, give information on where to access help and as a point of contact for struggling families. Congratulations Willie, a well deserved award for someone who converted sporting facilities to an essential community resource for many. 

Inspiring Athlete Award

The Inspirational Athlete Award is for an athlete who has overcome the significant challenges of Covid-19 to perform to a high level in their sport despite the lack of competitions. Alternatively, they may have successfully modified their training, and set new goals to achieve their ambitions.  

The finalists were Luke Bibby from Perth Railway Boxing Club, Katherine Bailey from Perth City Swim Club and racing driver Chloe Grant. 

Winner: Luke Bibby. 

Luke is a member of Perth Railway boxing Club, before lockdown he was training with other club members several times a week working towards gaining selection for Boxing Scotland’s Elite group. Whilst doing a full time apprenticeship, Luke has continued to train 6 days a week, mostly alone when COVID restrictions have not allowed group training. Being part of Boxing Scotland’s Performance Pathway Programme means Luke was constantly travelling around Scotland being assessed on many parts of his performance when able to. Since training has resumed he has travelled to various countries; training and sparring with other elite boxers. He finally gained a place on the Elite Boxing Group, putting him in a good place for Commonwealth Games selection. Luke also supported his club, where he is also a coach, providing workouts via zoom calls and posted training videos on social media to help keep fellow members inspired , focussed and fit during lockdown. A role model to his fellow boxers on many levels, Luke has proved to be inspiration during the last year; congratulations Luke for an incredible year of hard work, training and resilience.