Scottish Sporting Excellence will once again be celebrated at The Sunday Mail and SportScotland Scottish Sports Awards in December, and bowls coach David Gourlay MBE could be in the running for more award glory.
Now in its 13th year, the annual event, which is sponsored by sportscotland — the national agency for sport — celebrates the heroes throughout Scottish sport by awarding our sportsmen, women, teams and volunteers for their outstanding achievements in 2019.
And among those likely to be in contention is David Gourlay, from Ayr, who was named sportscotland High Performance Coach of the Year in 2018. David is a high performance coach for Bowls Scotland and has been instrumental in the cultural change of bowls in Scotland from a non-coached sport to one that sees coaching as crucial, with fantastic results.
Under his guidance, Scotland’s bowlers have excelled in the last two Commonwealth Games, the highest level bowlers can compete at. Scotland won three gold medals and a silver at Glasgow 2014 and five medals at Gold Coast 2018, meaning every Scot on the team returned from Australia with a medal in the most successful Commonwealth Games for the country on the bowling green.
Following that historic success, David says the future remains bright for bowls in Scotland, he said: "We’re lucky in Scotland, we have a lot of top class bowlers. I’m really privileged to work with the best bowlers in the world. We have a huge talent pool and there are great expectations when Scotland walk onto the green, they are expected to win."
Chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, 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."
The Sunday Mail sportscotland Scottish Sports Awards recognise excellence throughout Scottish sports at what promises to be an unforgettable awards ceremony on December 5 at Glasgow’s DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
TO NOMINATE
Head 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.
