Outstanding sporting achievement from across South Ayrshire has been celebrated at a special ceremony.
The South Ayrshire Sports Awards, which recognise participation at every level, took place at Ayr Town Hall on Wednesday, 25 October, 2017. The awards give sports clubs the opportunity to highlight sporting talent but also recognise the invaluable voluntary contribution from parent helpers, coaches and officials. The awards incorporate categories from the South Ayrshire Sports Council and sportscotland's South Ayrshire Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering. Among this year’s winners*:
Sports Personality of the Year: Jack Dickson, Prestwick Tennis Club
Lifetime Coaching Achievement: Gerry Phillips - Former Principal Teacher of PE at Kyle Academy
Volunteer of the Year: Audrey Strachan – Gymnastics
Councillor Brian McGinley, South Ayrshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure said that local talent had shone through, “The annual awards are a great way to recognise the hundreds of people who are involved in bringing South Ayrshire’s sporting community to life. “Athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers all work together to get the best out of individual and team sports, with the positive results plain to see from all our nominations. “I’d like to congratulate all the 2017 year’s winners but would stress that without everyone involved this fantastic network of people and achievement could not and would not exist.” Fresh from winning two Gold medals at the LD National Tennis Championships in Nottingham, Jack Dickson said that the Sports Personality of the Year recognition had been another personal highlight, “It’s an honour to have been recognised with this fantastic award which is something I wasn’t expecting to win on the night. “I’ve been working really hard this year with the highlight being by Gold winning performance in the mixed doubles at the Special Olympics in Sheffield which was an incredible experience. “But to have been recognised as the Sports Personality of the Year is a great way to round off a brilliant year and I’ll be working hard to make 2018 just as good.”