Knockout night of sporting heroes
It was the Burns night to end them all – but Glasgow’s Sportsperson of the Year awards also showed you can’t keep a good Govan boy out of the picture.
Sir Alex Ferguson, legendary manager of Manchester United, received one of the night’s top honours, the Leader’s Special Award.
And he voiced his thanks in a special pre-recorded video message, screened shortly before boxer Ricky Burns was named Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year.
Sir Alex, whose team is pursuing a record-equalling 19th English Premiership title and a third Champions’ League trophy, said: “I’m honoured you have recognised me. I hope I have been a great beacon for the people of Glasgow, because the city always feels special to me.”
The ceremony, at Glasgow City Chambers, saw WBO super-featherweight world champion Ricky become the first boxer to win the top award.
Ricky, from Coatbridge, won acclaim last September when he defeated the previously unbeaten Roman Martinez at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall. some observers rated his win as the finest world-title performance by a Scot since Ken Buchanan beat Ismael Laguna in new York in 1971.
Ricky defended his title against Andreas Evensen in December and is preparing for another defence, against Joseph Laryea of Ghana, at Braehead Arena on March 12.
The 27-year-old said: “Like the world title, this award is not just for me but for my whole team and my family.”
Young Sportsperson of the Year, sponsored by the Evening Times, was Amy Regan, a teenage artistic gymnast at the City of Glasgow gymnastics club.
Her mum, Ann, who accepted the award on her behalf, said: “she will be pleased she has won this, but surprised as well.”
Amy qualified for the all-around finals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, finishing 21st. she also qualified for the floor finals, finishing fourth.
Her club, however, failed to make it a double when it lost out to City of Glasgow swim team in the Glasgow Club of the Year category.
Glasgow is Scotland’s sporting capital. This city thrives in sports competition Lord Provost Robert Winter
The swim club was set up in 1993 and has more than 300 members. Head coach Andrena Hamilton said: “We’re over the moon.”
Student Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Strathclyde University, was equestrian vaulter Joanne Eccles, 22, whose achievements have included winning the European Championships in 2009 and taking fifth at the World Championships in 2008.
She said: “I’m simply stunned. I appreciate the fact a minority sport has been allowed to come to the fore.”
The two other categories, sponsored by the Evening Times, led to some of the biggest cheers of the night. Wheelchair tennis star Gordon Reid, 19, won Glasgow Disabled Athlete of the Year, and Robert Fox was named Glasgow Volunteer of the Year.
Gordon, originally from Helensburgh, is ranked 14 in the world in his field and will go to Florida to compete next month. he is also targeting the GB 2012 Paralympics qualifiers, from May. he said: “This is a brilliant award.”
Robert, 20, who works with boys of 11 and 12 at Toryglen Football Centre, says: “It’s fun and rewarding when you see the kids all happy and scoring goals.”
Colin Atkinson, one of the most celebrated names in Scottish badminton, who died last year, aged 71, won the Scottish Association of Local Sports Council Glasgow Service to Sport – Lifetime Achievement Award. His many achievements included seeing three of his charges – Alison Fulton, Alex White and Kirsteen McEwan – compete at Commonwealth Games.
He also managed the national team at the world championships in Beijing in 1987 and in Jakarta two years later. the award was presented to his widow, Moira.
Drumchapel Table Tennis Club, one of Britain’s biggest clubs, and British champions in 2008/09 and 2009/10, won Glasgow Team of the Year.
Coach Terry McLernon spoke highly of the clutch of young players who accompanied him on stage as evidence of the club’s “fantastic structure”.
St Mungo’s Academy won the Glasgow Secondary Sports School of the Year, while Cleeves Primary School and Ruchill Autism Unit tied for the primary equivalent.
Bengy Barsant, active schools co-ordinator at Cleeves, said: “the award is a really big thing for it.” Ruchill Unit co-ordinator Kay Hunter said: “It’s so exciting for the children.”
Christopher Phillips of Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club was Glasgow Coach of the Year.
St Mungo’s acting headteacher Tom Dowman said: “It’s tremendous to win an award that was open to every secondary school in Glasgow.”
The Lord Provost’s award went to Robbie Renwick, the swim ace who captured Scotland’s first gold medal in Delhi. he dedicated it to his late coach, Eileen Adams, elite performance coach at City of Glasgow, who had died several months earlier, aged just 56. Robbie said: “This is a huge honour.”
Lord Provost Robert Winter, said: “Glasgow is Scotland’s sporting capital. This city thrives in sports competition.”
Councillor George Redmond, chairman of Glasgow Life, said the ceremony honours great performances as well as recognising: “the commitment of those who use their time and energy to support and develop our athletes”.