The sixth Live Borders Celebration of Sport Awards took place on Friday 23 March at the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels.
The Awards, introduced in 2013, recognise the individuals, teams and events that are helping to drive forward sporting excellence and participation across the region.
Gordon’s Sammi Kinghorn reigned supreme again with victory in two of the marquee awards, one which is voted for the by the public. It is testament to how disability sport is viewed in the area that Sammi was the second para-athlete in a row to win the main Sports Personality of the Year award. Libby Clegg won last year’s award thanks to her double-gold performance at Rio 2016.
Sammi was busy in the Gold Coast preparing for the marathon at the Commonwealth Games but mum Elaine was on hand to pick up the awards on behalf of the 22 year old. Elaine highlighted the family’s gratitude at picking up the Sport Personality of the Year accolade where Sammi was up against Scottish Rugby International players Ross Ford and Stuart Hogg in a public vote. The achievement is certainly no mean feat considering the quality of the two other shortlisted athletes and highlights just how big a star Sammi Kinghorn is across Scottish Sport.
Scottish Borders Disability Sport Group Chairperson, Graham Cook was on hand to present Elaine with Sammi’s first award of the evening – Inspirational Performance of the Year Award for her incredible gold medal and world record performance (T53 200m) at the IPC World Championships in July last year.
Another athlete currently in the Gold Coast representing Team Scotland was Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) athlete Beth Johnston. The Gala
Academy student is in Australia preparing for the SM10 200m Individual Medley – with the preliminary races scheduled for Saturday 7th April – and was also unable to pick up her Disability Sports Award but did record a message thanking everyone involved for the recognition of her recent achievements. Beth’s Coach Robyn Methven was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the 16 year old.
Borders Boccia Club were on the final shortlist of three for the club of the year award but were pipped to the accolade by Gala Cricket Club. Furthermore, the Boders Regional Boccia Championships were also shortlisted for Event of the Year, however were edged out by winners Hendersyde Park Horse Trials. Although both boccia nominations narrowly missed out, the fact they were shortlisted highlights the growth and development of the sport in the region.
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