I attended the 2019 Kirkcaldy and Central Fife Sports Council Annual Awards at Fife College on Thursday 5th March along with fellow Disability Sport Fife Trustee, Paul Noble MBE. These were the 12th Sports Council Annual Awards and the second of three Sports Council Awards evenings scheduled for Fife. The East Fife Sports Council Annual Awards are scheduled for next week at the Corn Exchange in Cupar.
Former Raith Rovers and Rangers player Marvin Andrews was the guest speaker. The evening ran like clockwork with George MacDonald from the Sports Council acting as MC. There was as always musical accompaniment and amazing support from Fife College staff. As usual the Sports Council had an excellent team of volunteers working behind the scenes plus representatives from organisations and businesses who support various elements of the Awards. The evening turned out exceptionally well for several DSF members, coaches and volunteers.
Derek Rae from Kirkcaldy and Fife AC was voted Sports Personality of the Year by Fife Free Press readers from a field of four exceptional high quality performance candidates. Derek is a regular awards winner at his local Sports Council Annual Awards evening but this year he really surpassed all previous years. Derek won silver at the WPA world marathon championships last year in London.
In his absence Owen Miller from Fife AC and Dunfermline was awarded the Disability Sports Person of the Year award by Elaine Roberts from PLM Optometrists. Owen also won the Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council disability sports award earlier in the year following his exceptional performance in Dubai at the WPA World Para athletics championships. National representatives Tyler McLelland (boccia) and Mike Drever (Para shooting) were runners up in this highly competitive category. Owen was also a runner up in the Special Achievement Award section presented by Fife College.
A few days before she takes up her new post with Scottish Athletics, Pamela Robson from Burntisland won two awards for her exceptional contribution to Para athletics locally and nationally in the year past. Pamela is the DSF lead athletics coach and a Trustee of Disability Sport Fife. Pamela was a runner up in the in the Coach of the Year award presented by Heather Birrell from Dundas. However late in the evening in a very competitive field she was presented with the Fife College Special Achievement Award by James Bissett. This award selection is made by Fife College staff and the field included all eleven category winners on the night. What an accolade for the former Balwearie HS teacher.
Exceptional Disability Sport Fife peer mentor volunteer and former pupil of Balwearie HS, Adam Faulds from Glenrothes, was recognised with a runner up award in the Service to Sport category supported by Scottish Clubsport. Adam provides an amazing number of volunteer hours weekly in support of DSF members. Adam is widely respected by fellow volunteers and coaches.
Young Ruby McDonald from Glenrothes Amateur Swimming Club was awarded the Garry Innes Memorial Shield. Helen McKay also from Glenrothes SC was a runner up in the Service to Sport Award. Helen is a former DSF swim coach.
Throughout the evening there were outstanding stories of excellence across a wide range of sports. Central Fife has high quality performers in abundance. The role played by Fife Free Press staff in promoting inclusive sport in the area is a model of exceptional practice.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees