Orkney Sports Awards shortlist announced
The nominees have been announced for the 2015 Orkney Sports Awards, and with a record number of nominations submitted, the Awards are sure to be a big hit!
In total, over 500 nominations were received for individuals, teams and volunteers from across the county before representatives from various organisations knowledgeable on sport in Orkney formed a panel that reviewed each nomination before deciding on the finalists.
The event takes place on Friday, 22 January 2016 at Kirkwall Grammar School and Sports Centre and each finalist under the nine categories will be invited to the ceremony with winners being announced at the awards evening.
Councillor Harvey Johnston, chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing committee, said: “Every person that has dedicated his or herself to their sport deserves to be acknowledged. It is great to see just how many names were put forward and how many people throughout Orkney want to show their support.
“There have been a considerable number of worthy athletes, teams and individuals involved in sport in 2015, some of the decisions were very difficult to make. Particularly for the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award – there were so many nominees to choose from that the panel decided to have four candidates.
“It’s been almost a decade since this event has taken place so this is very exciting. It’s going to be a great night!”
The event is free to the public but there are a limited number of seats. Tickets will be available to pick-up from the Orcadian Bookshop in Kirkwall from Saturday, 9 January to Wednesday, January 13. Tickets can also be obtained by emailing active-schools@orkney.gov.uk.
The finalists for the Orkney Sports Awards 2015 are:
Sportsperson of the Year
Scott Rendall — Rugby
Bobby Spence — Shooting
Maggie Tait — Fencing
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Thora Cant — Javelin
Amy Golder — Kickboxing
Taylah Spence — Netball and Athletics
Team of the Year
Orkney Hockey Club
Orkney Rugby Football Club
Small Bore Rifle Island Games Team
Young Team of the Year
Junior Inter-County Team
Under-13 Orkney Netball Team
Under-18 Orkney/Caithness Rugby Team
Coach of the Year
Huw Davies — Orkney RFC coach
Graham & Ali Johnston — Orkney Hockey team coaches
Ali Macphail — Orkney Athletic Club coach
Volunteer of the Year
Jim Scollie — Darts
Stuart Louttit — Bowls
Roddy Mackay — Orkney Youth Development Group
Helen Rothnie — Swimming
Young Volunteer of the Year (under-25)
Ryan Arcus — Rugby
Ella Spence — Climbing
Leah Thomson — Netball
School Sports Volunteer of the Year
Mark Berry – Stromness Academy (Volleyball and Badminton)
Andrew Davis – Kirkwall Grammar School (Basketball)
Chloe Flett – Firth Primary School (Netball)
Official of the Year
Derek Allan – Swimming
Ian Gibson — Swimming
Fraser Murray — Athletics