AWARDS 2011

Outside the Ben Nevis Inn, the wind howled and the rain was horizontal, but inside it was packed with LSA club members from all over Lochaber – coaches, players, athletes, committee members, parents, friends and supporters. They had all come together on Saturday night to celebrate the achievements and hard work of their fellow sports men, women and youngsters, who had been nominated for the Association’s 2011 Awards.  The buzz was heightened by the presence of not one, nor even two, but THREE worldclass sportsmen;  Richie Collins (Paralympic and World Championship Athlete), Mike Dixon MBE BEM (six times Olympic biathlon athlete) and Steve Docherty (Olympic and Commonwealth Games boxer, now coach for Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club).

The event was launched with a Photo montage of clubs in action around Lochaber – on pitches and greens, lochs and hills, courts, rings and tracks.  It was very exciting to see the fantastic diversity of sports and the expressions of sheer determination, effort and enthusiasm shown on the participants’ faces. It would make a great PR video for sport in general – and especially in Lochaber!  The collection included two winning photos from our competition: “Best Lochaber Sporting Photo 2010-2011″

Iain Ferguson’s: “MUD, GUTS and GORE”

Lochaber Rugby Club

(Professional Category)

 

 

 

 

 

…and Joan Smith’s:  “SURELY THIS IS HAWAII!”

Mallaig and District Canoe Club

(Amateur Category)

 

 

Then came the Presentations…Going through the nominations for the awards was one of the highlights of LSA’s year – just to see the obvious respect of coaches for their players, the admiration of players for their coaches, the appreciation of clubs for all the work done “behind the scenes” and the overwhelming pride in being a member of a team that has worked hard and done well.  Actually deciding the category winners was well nigh impossible; every one of the nominees deserved a trophy, and so it was decided that they should each be presented with a Certificate of Achievement.

The results were as follows:

• The BSW Trophy for Sportsperson of The Year 2011 went to Gavin Shirley (West Highland Wheelers) for his consistently outstanding race results throughout Scotland over several cycling disciplines.

Runners Up were: Chris Bradley and James Aitchison (both of Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club)

• The Joint Winners of the Marine Harvest Trophy for Coach of The Year 2011 were Vince Lopez and Niall Clark (Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club).

FROM THE NOMINATION FORMS: “Niall  has worked tirelessly in coaching members of the club since its inception. He is not only at the gym every day after work, including Saturday and Sunday, but also drives the club’s boxers to competition  venues around Scotland and to training sessions with World Champions in Manchester and other English venues.  Through his dedication young people have found hidden talent which has not only brought many accolades to this area, but has also given them a purpose in life, with self discipline, physical and mental strength and dedication to a healthy lifestyle.   100 words are not enough to describe Niall’s worth.”

“Vince is the main fitness coach at the club.  He gives up an enormous amount of his free time for the boys.  He focuses on keeping the boxers in peak physical condition to compete, and tailors training programmes to each individual.  The club has only been in existence for 4 years, but has already produced 2 area champions, a Scottish novice Champion and 2 Scottish Champions (at schoolboy level).  The club has also had 2 young boxers represent Scotland at international schoolboy level, which is a remarkable achievement for a club in its infant years.  This is largely down to the boys’ outstanding fitness.”

Runner Up: Ewen Cameron (Glengarry Girls Shinty Club)

• The Winner of the Clydesdale Bank Trophy for Youth Endeavour 2011 was Chris Bradley (Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club)
  

  Chris Bradley triumphant with Referee Steve Docherty

FROM THE NOMINATION FORM: “Chris has become Scottish Champion this year, winning the title at his first attempt.  He reached the semi-final of the British Championships and represented Scotland against Ireland in Cork.  Chris trains at the boxing gym 5 days a week religiously.  He also runs three or four days a week and regularly travels to Motherwell on a Saturday morning to train with the Scotland squad. Sometimes he travels back on the same day to train at our own gym.  He keeps a careful eye on his calorie intake as he is constantly monitoring his weight.  His dedication to his sport is incredible for someone so young and he is a credit to himself, his club and his town.”

Runners Up: Ben Miller (West Highland Wheelers), Alasdair Ross (Fort William Golf Club), James Aitchison (Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club)

• The winner of the Bowmans Trophy for Team of The Year 2011 was   Glengarry Girls Shinty Club
  
  

  Some of the Girls pictured earlier in the Year

FROM THE NOMINATION FORM: “Season 2011 saw the Glengarry Girls win the Women’s Camanachd Association National League Cup for a record seventh time…and, also for the third consecutive season lift the WCA Camanachd Cup for a record sixth time.

Since their establishment in 1997, the Garry Girls have become not only the most successful women’s team in shinty, but undoubtedly in Lochaber, too. After 14 years of success, we feel the girls deserve some recognition for their hard work and achievement.”

Runner Up: Mallaig Indoor Bowling Club

• The winner of the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils Trophy 2011 was Ian Adams (Lochaber Athletics Club) for the support he has given to his club and his fellow club members.
  

  Ian Adams

FROM THE NOMINATION FORM: “Lochaber Athletic Club feels that Ian deserves this award for all the hard work he has put in over the last few years with Jogscotland.  Ian started the Jogscotland initiative in Lochaber and has helped grow the club to the size that it is today.  Jogscotland regularly enjoys over 60 people turning up to training on Monday and Wednesday nights.  Ian has also nurtured some of the Jogscotland runners to progress through to Lochaber Athletic Club training.  He has also encouraged a few to get their Jog Leader awards.”

Runners Up: Rosemary MacPhee (Street League and Fort William Shinty Club), Ewen Cameron (Glengarry Girls Shinty Club), Steven Docherty (Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club), Claire Rumgay (Lochaber Athletics Club)

The stage was then taken by Mike Dixon, who treated everyone to a motivational talk titled “Olympic Dreams”, which took his audience on an epic journey from being a boy at Conaglen to carrying the British flag at the Opening Ceremonies of three Olympic Games.  The talk was so inspirational, and would be perfect to take into schools and clubs as an encouragement to all youngsters to find their dreams and follow them – not only in sport, but for anything they want to achieve in life.

After Mike’s talk, many stayed on for a drink and a chat, and all agreed it had been a very uplifting and entertaining evening.

QUOTE from one club member:  “It was great to mix with other sports and clubs and get to know them – not something you usually get the opportunity to do.”

The LSA Board and Committee members would like to thank the Ben Nevis Inn for their generous hospitality (well done Iona and Euan for staying  so cool!) the local businesses who donated the trophies, the clubs who made the effort to put in nominations and all who attended the evening.  It was a great success and a tribute to the hard work put in by club members, whether supporting or participating in their sport.

We hope that next year will see even more local sports people being put forward for an award!