Laura Muir has been announced as the overall Sports Personality of the Year in the Perth and Kinross Sports Awards, which were held on Friday 4th March 2022 at Perth Museum, George Street, Perth.

Phil Coleman, Community Sport and Partnership Manager for Live Active Leisure commented, “It is an honour to announce Laura as the PK Sports Awards Sports Personality of the Year winner. She is an outstanding athlete and after winning silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the 1500m, and being crowned Scottish Athletics athlete of the year, she is a fantastic choice for our celebration of homegrown sporting talent”.

An additional ten awards were presented to local sporting heroes including volunteers, coaches and athletes for efforts dating from 1st January to 31st December 20201.

The prestigious annual awards are run by Live Active Leisure in partnership with Perth and Kinross Sports Council and Friday’s event marked the first in-person ceremony since the 2018 Sports Awards were announced in March 2019.

Mr Coleman, continued, “Once again, the event highlighted the outstanding achievements and commitment of our local athletes, coaches, volunteers and sporting organisations. In what has been a challenging year for everyone, it was lovely to welcome guests and finalists to celebrate together in our first 'in-person' event for a couple of years. We look forward to a wonderful year of local sport in 2022.”

Winners of the 2021 awards are as follows:

1. Volunteer of the Year

Frazer Robertson (Glenearn Badminton Club)

Frazer has navigated Glenearn Badminton club through the Covid-19 pandemic and is credited with the club once again having strong turnout in junior and senior badminton sessions. Frazer played an active role in bringing free summer badminton sessions for young people, has led a club rebrand, refreshed club documents and acquired the John Grant Cup in memory of the club’s former President. He is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion encouraging the club to be part of LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiatives as well as the Perth & Kinross Disability Sport Badminton Championships in November 2021 where Frazer and club members officiated almost 100 games.

Kirsten Lindsay on behalf of Frazer Robertson

2. Chuck Hay Team of the Year

Pegasus Vaulting Group

Pegasus Vaulting Group are the most northerly Vaulting Group in Scotland who train in Killiecrankie. After winning the British Championships in 2019 (Senior 1 star event) Covid-19 meant that the team would struggle with the loss of team members, and the ability to train on horses together, as well as all events in 2020 being cancelled. As restrictions eased, the team competed again in 2021, winning the Scottish Championships in September, and then again in October at the British Championships.

3. Special Achievement Award

St Johnstone Football Club

The award recognises the club’s historic Cup Double in the 2020/21 season when the Saints became only the fourth Scottish club to win both domestic trophies in a season.

4. Youth Leadership Award

Anna Woodhead (Perth City Swim Club)

Anna has been a member of Perth City Swim Club for almost 10 years as a District swimmer and as a young poolside helper. Despite challenges by the pandemic and the closure of Perth pool, Anna was undeterred and completed her level 1 coaching course in 2021. Anna has great rapport with young swimmers and her soft but enthusiastic manner is a comfort and inspiring support to them.

5. Disability Sports Personality of the Year

Lesley Stewart (Target Shooting)

Lesley from Blairgowrie competed at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in the R8 (50M Rifle 3 Position Women SH1), finishing in 13th place, having qualified to compete just two months before, following three years out with major injury.

6. Young Sports Personality of the Year

Connor Graham (Golf)

At only 14 years old, Connor has had a fantastic 2021 season, with too many successes to mention here! Highlights include winner of the Barrie Douglas Scottish Junior Masters; winner of the Paul Lawrie Boys Junior Championships; winner in the Stephen Gallacher Scottish Championships Fairmont; winner of the Scottish Junior Tour Musselburgh; winner of Sky Sports European Junior Open Championships and winner of the Scottish Boys Order of Merit 2021.

7. Veteran Sports Personality of the Year

Dan Travers (Badminton)

Former Commonwealth Games athlete Dan travelled to Huelva, Spain this year to compete at the World Senior Badminton Championships, and picked up a silver medal in the mixed doubles event with fellow Scot Christine Black, in the 60+ age category.

8. Club of the Year

Strathmore Golf Club

During 2021 Strathmore Junior section broke all previous records in membership numbers attracting 49 new members and taking total members to 94. The club work hard to keep costs low for families and have a club hire scheme in operation for growing youngsters, that has since been replicated by Scottish Golf to encourage more clubs to do the same. In 2021 71 golf club sets were hired out and coupled with free taster sessions, gave opportunities for local people to enjoy learning golf, and encouraging them to become club members.

9. Sport for Change Award

Salle Ossian Fencing Club

Project Forte is Salle Ossian Fencing Club's Changing Lives Programme, working with survivors of violence or trauma using fencing as a means to help rehabilitation of the mind and body.  Often following trauma, there is a dissociation between body and the brain and fencing provides a unique opportunity for survivors to reconnect with themselves and with others in a safe and supportive environment. The club have trained coaches so that they are knowledgable in trauma-led coaching best practice and have brought on additional staff in anticipation of post-covid demand.

10. George Mortimer Service to Sport Award 

Atholl Henderson (Football)

For 35 years, Atholl Henderson has shown outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm. He is an all-round community champion whose passion has made a substantial contribution to football locally and nationally, has supported the personal development of thousands and has made a positive difference to the lives of other people.

11. Sports Personality of the Year

Laura Muir (Athletics)

In October 2021 Laura was crowned Scottish Athletics athlete of the year following an incredible year where she won silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the 1500m. Laura is the current British Record holder for outdoor 1500m and ranked in the world all-time top 15 for 1500m.

SPOTY FINALISTS 2021

Live Active Leisure has announced the finalists in the 2021 Perth and Kinross Sports Awards. Now in their 32nd year, the prestigious awards are promoted and supported in partnership with Perth & Kinross Sports Council and recognise the commitment and achievements of volunteers, teams and athletes from across a wide range of sports in our local area.

Previous SPOTY Winners

Phil Coleman, Community Sport and Partnership Manager for LAL, commented, "Once again, whittling down entries to 27 finalists for the Perth & Kinross Sports Awards was a tough job. The standard of submission was extremely high, demonstrating just how well served we are in the area.

“Covid restrictions have proved particularly difficult for sport over the past 2 years and last year's virtual ceremony reflected this with fewer categories all tailored to how clubs and individuals reacted to lockdown. The response to these was as impressive as ever, and we are delighted to be building on this success with a return to ten fantastic awards including some new categories.

“Recognising these achievements and contributions is hugely important to everyone at LAL and Perth and Kinross Sports Council and we are delighted to see so many well-deserving finalists being celebrated."

The ceremony will take place at Perth Museum on Friday 4th March 2022 and promises to showcase local sporting talent and those people committed to inspiring future generations.

The full list of finalists features a total of 27 volunteers, athletes and teams with achievements gained during the period from January 1st 2021 to December 31st 2021. St. Johnstone Football Club will also be presented with a special commemorative trophy in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in 2021.

Sports Personality of the Year
Milli Smith - Curling
Laura Muir - Athletics
Eve Muirhead - Curling

Young Sports Person of the Year
Gregor Miller - Judo
Struan Bennett - Triathlon
Connor Graham - Golf

Disability Sports Person of the Year
Cayden Thomson - Rugby
Lesley Stewart - Shooting

Veteran Sports Person of the Year
Dan Travers - Badminton
Selwyn Parker - Athletics

Young Leadership Award
Anna Woodhead - Swimming
Sam Currie - Swimming and Football
Rebecca Harvey - Netball and Swimming

Club of the Year
Jeanfield Community Football Club
Fair City Football Club
Strathmore Golf Club

Chuck Hay Team of the Year
Perth High School Girls U15 Football Team
Perth & Kinross County Ladies Golf Team
Pegasus Vaulting Team

Volunteer of the Year
Moira Lumby - Golf
David Inglis - Girls Football
Frazer Robertson - Badminton

Sport for Change Award
St. Madoes Active Sports Hub
Perth Parrots Floorball Club
Salle Ossian

George Mortimer Service to Sport Award
Atholl Henderson - Football
Bruce Bannerman - Swimming