Help celebrate Orkney sporting success

Sports Awards Nominations are requested for the most prestigious awards in Orkney sport.

The Orkney Sports Awards, sponsored by The Orcadian and organised by Orkney Island Council’s Active Schools team, celebrate and recognise the county’s vast sporting achievement and success over the past year.

People in Orkney are urged to put forward nominations for athletes, teams, coaches, officials or volunteers, before the nomination period shuts at midnight on Sunday, November 24.

Nomination forms can be found in The Orcadian each week and can be filled in and sent to the Active Schools team.

Nominations can also be sent by email to active-schools@orkney.gov.uk or by private message through The Orcadian’s Facebook or Twitter feeds, or the Active Schools Facebook page.

The awards presentation night will take place on Friday 24 January at Kirkwall Grammar School.

Catherine Johnson, one of the organisers behind the event, lauded the “exceptional” backing the awards have received in the past from the local community.

“Celebrating and recognising achievement and success is essential in any healthy sporting community and Orkney is no different,” explained the Active Schools co-ordinator.

“The nine awards are designed to celebrate every level of our rich and vibrant sports scene, right from our top athletes who could be in the running for the Sportsperson of the Year Awards or the Team of the Year, to those whose work cannot be underestimated — our officials, coaches and volunteers.

“These people selflessly give up hundreds of hours of their own time every year in order to facilitate others sporting success and sometimes this dedication can go unrecognised.

“A huge aspect of the Orkney Sports Awards is shining a light on those who play key roles behind the scenes and I urge sports clubs and the wider community to nominate those who form the backbone of our sporting community.”

Last year’s awards saw two Scottish internationals take the top prizes — netballer Sarah MacPhail was named Sportsperson of the Year and squash player Andrew Torbet took the Young Sportsperson of the Year title.

Orkney’s octopush side scooped the Team of the Year while the Young Team of the Year Award went to Orkney Gymnastics Club. Derek Allan and Jocelyn Tulloch won the Official of the Year and Coach of the Year Awards.

The three volunteer awards went to Belinda Morrison, Rebecca Reid and Mhairi Linklater, while young Freya Kemp took home the Performance of the Year as voted by the Orkney public.

Squash stalwart Mike Stout was also recognised for his 40-year service, with a 'Services to Orkney Sport' Award.

Each year the awards are hotly contested and this being an Island Games year - with a host of exceptional medal-winning performances - is sure to be no different.

Catherine Johnson said: “We have received fantastic backing from our main sponsor, The Orcadian, from day one which is greatly appreciated, and recently we have also received huge support from individual companies who have sponsored each award.

“Having this support is vital and I must thank each sponsor and all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to pull the event together.”

She added: “The Orkney Sports Awards showcase our exceptional sporting community, but these awards are nothing without your nominations.

“Casting a vote is simple and should only take five minutes, so make sure to get your nomination in and be part of this fantastic event.”