The nominees for next month’s East Kilbride Sports Awards have been unveiled with an unprecedented number of entries for the junior categories.
A fantastic 40 nominations have been received recognising the achievements of junior under-12 and under-18 athletes, while there are also strong shortlists for the main adult performer, coach and junior team sections.
Up for the top award of overall East Kilbride Sports Personality are Scotland women’s football team goalkeeper Lee Alexander, sprint star Greg Kelly and rugby ace Mark Ellison.
The awards, which will be held at the Village Theatre on Saturday, April 27, honour amateur sports stars from the town who excelled in 2018.
Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee helped Scotland’s women’s team reach the World Cup finals for the first time and also guided her club side to a 12th league title in a row.
East Kilbride Athletic Club star Greg had a great season, winning gold in the under-20 100m and 200m sprints at the Scottish Age Group Championships. He also helped Scotland to a team bronze at an international in Manchester.
And Mark has excelled for East Kilbride Rugby Club, helping them push for promotion in the league.
East Kilbride Ladies Hockey Club clinch league title
One of them will follow in the footsteps of reigning champion Kyle Johnston by walking away with the EK Sports Council shield.
As well as a host of junior categories, prizes will be claimed by the town’s top amateur coach with trampoline coaches Karen Keeley and Louise Whitters in the running alongside school athletics coach Richard Wyatt and judo coach Colin Reid.
There will also be awards for administrator of the year, Active Schools volunteer of the year and the town’s best sporting primary and secondary schools.
A special services to sports award will also be presented.
Sports council chairman Jim Ballantyne is thrilled with the quantity and standard of junior athletes put forward for the awards in the council’s 52nd annual showpiece.
He told the East Kilbride News: “This is our strongest-ever year for junior nominations, which is fantastic.
“It shows that the children of East Kilbride are enjoying a very active lifestyle and it’s great to see so many of them being put forward for their achievements.
“Throughout all the junior categories, the athletes are of a very strong standard and it will make for some difficult decisions by our judging panel.
“I would like to say well done to all the nominees.
“Their achievements during 2018 have been very impressive.
East Kilbride player/boss is sin-binned but side still run out winners in vital clash
“Regardless of the final outcome, they are all winners and I sincerely hope they enjoy the awards evening.”
Regular MC Cliff Smith returns to host the ceremony and Calderglen High School’s jazz band, conducted by Susan Menzies, will provide the entertainment.
East Kilbride boss sets sights on trophy day victory for fans
