Two East of Scotland swimmers received well-earned rewards recently, recognising their individual achievements over the last 12 months.
Beth Johnston received the Junior Sports Personality of the Year Award at the ClubSport Ettrick and Lauderdale Awards last week to cap a fantastic 12 months which has seen performances across the world, including securing medals at the World Para Series in Indianapolis. This recent award also compliments the Sports Personality of the Year accolade which the BEST swimmer received from her peers at Galashiels Academy earlier on this year. The S10 swimmer has enjoyed her best season to date and this has been acknowledged by her fellow swimmers, coaches, and school mates.
Edinburgh based swimmer Neil Ferguson was also recognised for his incredible achievements over the last 2 years – presented with a ‘Stroke Association Life After Stroke Award’ by Paralympian Scott Quin and TV presenter Amanda Lamb at a glittering award ceremony in London on 1st November. Lothian Racers and Musselburgh ASC swimmer Ferguson is relatively new to Para Sport after having a stroke just prior to Christmas in 2013, resulting in injuries to the right side of his body and also severely affecting his speech. The 15 year old has worked tirelessly to regain strength and mobility in the muscles that were weakened, while also finding the energy and enthusiasm to become involved with Para Sport during this period. Neil is now once again excelling in the swimming pool – recently being invited onto the Scottish Swimming Para Squad for 2017 / 2018 after receiving his classification this summer. The George Watson’s pupil motivation and drive to achieve all he can is absolutely evident to anyone who has worked with him or seen him train or compete, with his coaches often claiming, ‘it’s difficult to get him out of the water’. Neil – who was also the joint recipient of the Lothian Disability Sport Young Sports Person of the Year in the summer – has also engaged with events facilitated by Scottish Disability Sport, including the Summer Camp and is still an active member of the Forth Canoe Club after attending the Wheels to Water Event in 2015. A genuinely inspirational story and congratulations to Neil on receiving the Children and Young People’s Courage Award, a UK award which received over 400 nominations.
Watch Neil’s story on the link below –
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