Orkney Rugby Club named as Team of the Year at Orkney Sports Awards

Orkney Rugby Club beat off fierce competition to be named as the Team of the Year while shooter Bobby Spence won the Sportsperson of the Year at the first Orkney Sports Awards in almost a decade.

Over 270 people crammed in the Kirkwall Grammar School and enjoyed an evening of celebration as Orkney’s athletes, volunteers, coaches and officials were recognised at the ceremony, including Jim Scollie who was recognised for his 49 years of service to the Kirkwall District Darts League by being presented with a Lifetime of Service and Dedication award.

Taylah Spence was named as the Young Sportsperson of the Year as she enjoyed a fantastic 2015, representing Orkney in netball and athletics, while the Junior Inter-County team, who won the Stuart Cup in Shetland for the first time in 21 years walked away with the Young Team of the Year accolade.

Graham and Ali Johnston won the Coach of the Year award for their fantastic year with Orkney hockey while Stuart Loutitt won the Volunteer of the Year award for his work with the West Mainland Bowling Club. In a night that celebrated the volunteers, coaches and officials that put so much hard work into Orkney sport, Chloe Flett won the School Sports Volunteer of the Year, Leah Thomson won the Young Volunteer of the Year and Derek Allan won the Official of the Year.