Sports Awards for those behind the stars

Established in 2010, the awards have grown from an initial four categories – volunteer, coach, sports academy athlete and club of the year – to the present 11 separate prizes.

Within these sections are nominations for coaches who helped propel boxer Josh Taylor and swimmer Craig Benson on to the Olympic stage in London.

And in a resurrected prize, The Eric Liddell Trophy, commemorating Edinburgh’s 1924 Olympic 400 metres champion who died on missionary service in China, will be presented to a sports person who has excelled in athletics, shown dedication to training and has the potential to be a world-class athlete of the future.

In years gone by, the Eric Liddell Award was presented to a local Edinburgh athlete. However, over time, the trophy went astray. Now, in the wake of the London 2012 Games and with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games looming, the opportunity has been seized to re-launch the annual award.

A judging panel made up of members of the Lothian Athletics Partnership will choose the winner of the Liddell Trophy.

Overall, a total of ten separate sports figure are on the roll of honour, while beach  volleyball Olympian Shauna Mullin will provide an insight into her experiences competing at the event which drew massive crowds to Horseguards Parade this summer.

Michael Cavanagh, chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, is also due to attend when proceedings include a display of fencing.

Councillor Richard Lewis, chair of the Culture and Leisure Committee at City of Edinburgh Council, hailed the event as an establishing part of the Capital sporting scene.

Councillor Lewis said: “It was really brought home at the recent Freedom of the City ceremony for Sir Chris Hoy just how much we depended on volunteering in sport when he listed all the people who had assisted him.

“It occurs, too, that this goes right across the board because at a recent awards ceremony in the Film House focusing on a programme to get over-50s more active in the community, volunteering was again at the heart of the successes.

“The phrase ‘unsung hero’ will undoubtedly be used in honouring many of the nominees on Friday. Even in a relatively golden economic age, and that seems a while ago now, volunteers were invaluable, so it can only be imagined what an important part they play in assisting sport at grassroots level today.

“The ceremony will be very much about honouring these volunteers for the sacrifices they make.”

As well as celebrating volunteers and those they have helped to international level, tribute will be paid to rising stars.

The Sports Academy is a programme open to pupils attending City of Edinburgh Secondary Schools and involves badminton, basketball, cricket and girls football. Three aspiring stars are on the shortlist. All candidates within coaching categories go forward to the Sportscotland National Coaching Awards.