The very best of Scottish sport will again be recognised at the Sunday Mail and sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards in December.
And young basketball star Declan MacDougall from Irvine could be in the running for his efforts.
Declan attends the Glasgow Rocks Academy college programme at Kelvin College Glasgow and Twilight Basketball in Irvine, a Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) programme designed to give children a safe environment to enjoy sport for free.
The former Greenwood Academy pupil admits his journey in sport has not always been an easy one.
He says there were times when he would struggle to control his behaviour and he also suffered from anxiety but that hasn’t stopped him.
The 17-year-old says his life has changed dramatically for the better since joining Twilight Basketball and getting involved in the SSF programme, so much so that he has now been named as an ambassador.
Declan said: “Some big aspects of where and who I am now wouldn’t be the same without Twilight Basketball, they just helped me with so much. Between the staff and other players, they made my life so much better.
“Before going to Twilight, I would still be very emotional and very angry, I would take things personally while playing basketball. My anxiety was really bad, I definitely wouldn’t be coaching.
“Basketball means everything to me.
“There was a point when my anxiety got so bad that I wasn’t going to school. I feel like becoming an ambassador is probably my proudest moment.”
Now in its 13th year, the annual event which is sponsored by sportscotland – the national agency for sport – celebrates excellence throughout Scottish sport by awarding our sportsmen, women, teams and volunteers for their outstanding achievements in 2019.
And Declan certainly fits into that category, having worked so hard to make positive changes in his life through sport and being named an SSF Ambassador in the process. He now also coaches young people passing on his experiences.
Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young, said: “It has been another fantastic year for sport in Scotland. Scottish athletes continue to shine on the world stage and there is terrific work being done by the sporting community across the country to increase the opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in sport.
“It is wonderful to have another chance to recognise such dedicated and hard-working people alongside Scotland’s elite athletes.”
TO NOMINATE
To nominate go to: SundayMailSportsAwards
If you’re nominating a local hero or your local club, tell us as much as you can about your nominee and why they deserve an award. Nominations close on Tuesday, October 1.
CATEGORIES
SCOTTISH SPORTS PERSONALITY
Sponsored by sportscotland
For the star doing most to put Scotland on the sporting map.
COACH/MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Which of Scotland’s inspirational coaches got the most from their team or protege in the last year?
YOUNG SPORTS PERSONALITY
Sponsored by QTS Group Ltd
Who is the teen shining brightest?
Nominees must be 18 or under.
LOCAL HERO AWARD
The beating heart of Scotland’s sports. Which individual is making an invaluable impact to local sport?
LOCAL CLUB OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by sportscotland
For an outstanding amateur sports club that has made a real contribution to everyday life in the community.
DISABILITY SPORTS AWARD
Who has triumphed over disability to excel in their chosen sport?
SCHOOL SPORT AWARD
Sponsored by Active Scotland
For the school that does the most to develop the young sporting talent of Scotland.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Which team most impressed you during 2019? This could be your local team who won despite the odds, or a professional team who always inspire.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Our judges choose a hero with a legacy of sporting greatness.
INSPIRATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Who beat the odds this year to thrill and inspire?
EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD
Who or what caught the eye of the Sunday Mail’s top man? An award winner chosen by Sunday Mail Editor Brendan McGinty.
TO ATTEND THE AWARDS
To purchase tickets for the awards on December 5 or for sponsorship enquiries go to SundayMailSportsAwards or call 0141 309 4909.
Awards supported by The Edinburgh Clinic.
