Gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games bowler Darren Burnett was named Angus Alive Sports Personality of the Year at an awards ceremony in Forfar last night.
The event celebrated the achievements and successes of individuals, teams and clubs across Angus throughout 2018, with the top award of the night going to the Arbroath Bowling Club and Team Scotland athlete.
Darren had an outstanding year – he started as runner up in the World Mixed Pairs and was a beaten semi-finalist in the singles.
He represented Team Scotland on the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games and skipped the triples team to a gold medal.
He also played an important part in helping his club win the Angus League and the Scottish National Top Ten and finished the season ranked fifth in the world.
The two highly commended nominees were Hailey Duff (curling) and Niamh Harper (sailing).
The Young Sports Personality of the Year went to the 2018 highly commended tennis player Ben Hudson.
In 2018 Ben was number one in Great Britain at the 12 and under age group, whilst being in the top 100 at 14 and under.
He is the current singles and doubles Scottish Junior Indoor champion at 12 and under and was the runner up in the Under 14 category.
Highly commended awards went to Lucy Hay (figure skating), Sophie Smith (swimming), Shona Campbell (netball/touch rugby), Zoe Rennie (basketball/netball/cricket).
Sports Personality of the Year for People with a Disability went to Special Olympics athlete Liam Thom who competed at the Special Olympics 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling in 2018 and achieved two gold medals in the Motor Activities Training Programme.
The two highly commended nominees were Scott Perera (athletics/swimming) and Murran MacKay (athletics).
Other awards:
Outstanding Commitment: Margaret Hadden who has been involved with Brechin Beavers Swimming Club for over three decades; highly commended – Evelyn Smith (ten pin bowling) and Robin Shields (football).
Club of the Year: Strathmore Rugby Club. The club established pathways for all from primary 1 through to walking rugby, the first women’s Strathmore team played competitive fixtures and its first team reached the semi-final of the Caley shield; highly commended – Forfar Amateur Swimming Club and Monifieth Athletic Football Club.
Team of the Year: Special Olympics Tayside which competed in the Special Olympics 40th Anniversary Games in Stirling with 42 Angus athletes competing against 1,400 others; highly commended – Forfar Farmington Football Club Under 13’s and Montrose Tennis Club Junior First Team.
Coach of the Year: Gemma Lumsdaine, Dundee Dragons Wheelchair sport. Gemma led the team to an unbeaten season which saw them win the development league play off. Two players went on to play for Scotland Under 19’s who collected silver and bronze medals at the school and Invictus Games respectively. Highly commended: Oliver Carter (triathlon), David Wilson (badminton) Kay Rudd (football).
Club Volunteer of the Year: Lorna Cochrane who was instrumental in the development of the annual Rural School Highland Games; highly commended – Jordan Young (swimming) and Alana Mackie (swimming).
School Sports Volunteer of the Year: Arbroath High head boy Lee Paterson. He dedicates many hours volunteering to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part or access sport in school; highly commended – Rebecca Whyte (running/football) Pippa Reddy (netball) and Callum Burnett (rugby union).
