Scotland women’s goalkeeper Lee Alexander was crowned East Kilbride Sports Personality of the Year on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old, who also won best adult female, pipped EK Athletic Club sprinter Greg Kelly to the overall title after he won the adult male prize at the Village Theatre ceremony.
Alexander helped the national team qualify for the World Cup in France this summer and guided club side, Glasgow City, to a 12th league title in a row last season.
And she admitted winning the town’s top prize was like a dream come true.
The former Mount Cameron Primary and Calderglen High School pupil said: “I was nominated two or three times when I was younger, so it’s exciting to be a winner this time.
“Awards nights like this is what you aspired to when I was at school.
Scotland's win over Brazil has boosted belief ahead of World Cup, says Lee Alexander
“You always dream you can achieve things when you are younger, but I never thought I’d help my country qualify for the World Cup finals.
“It’s nice to be rewarded for all the hard work that goes into it.
"This is where I was brought up and it was great to see so many familiar faces, including my former school teachers.”
Lee joins previous high-profile winners on the awards shield, including European Tour golfer Marc Warren, 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and swimmer Corrie Scott and former Scotland women's international Megan Sneddon.
Lee added: "It's great to see East Kilbride is still thriving with so much talent.
"And it's great to see all the opportunities they have now.
"When I was at school I had to play football in the boys' team, so it's really nice to see how much things have changed."
• Check out Wednesday’s News for all the pictures and the full prize list from the awards.
