
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS
Thank you to everyone who joined our fabulous evening of celebration at P&J Live on Tuesday, 15th March.
Congratulations to all of our worthy winners and highly commended.
Thanks also to our title sponsor Samsung and all our event sponsors and partners as we simply couldn’t do this without your invaluable and continued support.
Aberdeen’s Sports Awards in association with Samsung celebrate the wealth of sporting achievements and contributions made by local athletes, volunteers and clubs.
Supported by Active Aberdeen Partnership, who passionately promote sport, physical activity and health opportunities within Aberdeen, these awards showcase the city’s wealth of sporting achievements and recognise the work that goes into the vision of making Aberdeen the most active city in Scotland.
Key Dates
15 Mar 2022 | Event |
Itinerary
18:30: | Drinks Reception |
19:00: | Call to Dinner/Welcomes |
19:25: | Awards ceremony part one |
20:00: | Dinner is served |
10:30: | Awards ceremony part two |
11.25: | Awards ceremony finishes |
12:00: | Carriages |
Winners
-
1
- Winner Andrew Ewen and Daniel Kindness
- Phil Horsfall
1
Adult Volunteer of the Year (Over 26)
Awarded to a person over the age of 26, who has volunteered their time and made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals, clubs, community or school within Aberdeen City.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- How long they have been volunteering (minimum of six months)
- What they do, including details of where the volunteering takes place and how many hours they give
- Examples of regular commitment to the role
- Examples of how their voluntary work benefits the wider community
- Examples of going the extra mile
- Any additional achievements
Shortlist
- Winner Andrew Ewen and Daniel Kindness
- Phil Horsfall
-
2
Sponsored By:
- Boskalis Subsea Services
- Winner Central Coaches
- ESWL Ltd
Sponsored By:
2
Business Community Partner of the Year
Awarded to a local business which has provided support, resources or equipment to an Aberdeen based sports project, club or individual.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Information about the business
- Details of support given
- The difference the support has made to the project, club or individual
- Inspirational practice about the support provided
- Innovative practice about the support provided
- Support given during the pandemic
Shortlist
- Boskalis Subsea Services
- Winner Central Coaches
- ESWL Ltd
-
3
Sponsored By:
- Winner Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club
- Grampian Ladies and Girls FC
- Kincorth AFC/Kincorth Emirates Youth FC
Sponsored By:
3
Club of the Year
Awarded to a sports clubs that has made a significant impact on or contribution to the development of sport in the community.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Links with the local community
- A strong coach development structure
- A commitment to being inclusive and providing opportunities for all
- Volunteer recruitment, reward and recognition activity
- Details of awards and success achieved
- Actions during the pandemic to help their members and their community
Shortlist
- Winner Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club
- Grampian Ladies and Girls FC
- Kincorth AFC/Kincorth Emirates Youth FC
-
4
Sponsored By:
- Active Girls Committee
- Assassin Health & Fitness Village
- Winner Fit Like Joggers
Sponsored By:
4
Community Sports Project of the Year
Awarded to a community sports club, community group or voluntary organisation that has used sport to make a difference in communities at a ‘grass roots’ level and achieved positive outcomes.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of the project e.g. when, where and how often it takes place
- The difference the project makes to people’s lives
- Involvement of participants in the development of the project
- Commitment to personal development of participants including volunteering and training
- Sustainability of the project
- What is inspiring and/or innovative about the project
- What impact has the project made over the course of the pandemic
Shortlist
- Active Girls Committee
- Assassin Health & Fitness Village
- Winner Fit Like Joggers
-
5
Sponsored By:
- Dean Donaldson
- Nichola Crawford
- Winner Rachel Watson
Sponsored By:
5
Community / Participation Coach of the Year
Awarded to a community, school or club-based coach who has made a significant increase in providing opportunities and participation levels in the city.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of regular quality coaching sessions in Aberdeen, including when and where the coaching takes place
- Details of the athletes/players coached and at which level they participate
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken
- Examples of providing a safe, inclusive and fun setting for participation
- Examples of increasing opportunities and participation levels
- Examples of using innovative practice in their coaching
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since January 2020
- If in a paid role, must show they’ve gone above and beyond their job description
Shortlist
- Dean Donaldson
- Nichola Crawford
- Winner Rachel Watson
-
6
Sponsored By:
- Winner Marie Dobson
Sponsored By:
6
Inspiration Award
Awarded to someone who is regarded as a positive role model or has shown incredible determination to overcome barriers, setbacks and challenges in achieving their goals.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Outstanding achievements
- Positive impact on others
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- Winner Marie Dobson
-
7
Sponsored By:
- Winner Sandy Roy
Sponsored By:
7
Lifetime Achievement
Awarded to an individual who has made a positive impact, through sport, over their lifetime, through an Aberdeen based club/school or within a local community.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of the role(s) played
- Examples of dedication to their role, participants and the wider community
- Details of non-financial contribution
- Examples of going beyond the call of duty
- Impact on the community/club/sport or individuals
Shortlist
- Winner Sandy Roy
-
8
Sponsored By:
- Eddie Mckenna
- Highly Commended Emma Hunter
- Winner Gregor McMillan
Sponsored By:
8
Performance Coach of the Year
Awarded to a school, community club, district, regional or national coach who has made a significant impact on the progression of individuals or teams in their sport at a district, regional or national level.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- A programme of athlete/player-centred coaching sessions, including when and where the coaching takes place
- A description of the athletes/players coached and at which level they perform
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken in the past year
- Evidence of mentoring and developing other coaches
- Examples of identifying and nurturing talent in line with the sports long term athlete/player development model
- Examples of significantly improving athletes/players performance at district, regional or national level (not necessarily winning titles)
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since January 2020
Shortlist
- Eddie Mckenna
- Emma Hunter
- Winner Gregor McMillan
-
9
Sponsored By:
- Conner Morrison
- Winner Neil Fachie
- Highly Commended Toni Shaw
- Zoey Clark
Sponsored By:
9
Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a sports performer competing at the highest level of their sport, including Para athletes and athletes with disabilities, who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- Conner Morrison
- Winner Neil Fachie
- Toni Shaw
- Zoey Clark
-
10
Sponsored By:
- Eilidh Shore
- Winner Katie Guest
- Louise Christie
- Yasmin Perry
Sponsored By:
10
Student Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a student sports performer who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
NB: nominees must currently be registered as a student in further or higher education; studying or living in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire with a connection to a club, team or sport in Aberdeen
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Dedication to training, as well as commitment to studies or extra-curricular activities of educational institution
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- Eilidh Shore
- Winner Katie Guest
- Louise Christie
- Yasmin Perry
-
11
Sponsored By:
- Aberdeen Grammar School Netball Team
- Winner Aberdeen FC Women
- Highly Commended Grampian Girls United Under-13's
Sponsored By:
11
Team Performance of the Year
Awarded to a sports team that has made significant progress, achieved or won titles/trophies, whilst demonstrating a commitment to continual training and development.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport played
- Leagues/tournaments/championships competing in
- Level of competition e.g. local, district, regional or national
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Commitment to training and development
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- Aberdeen Grammar School Netball Team
- Winner Aberdeen FC Women
- Grampian Girls United Under-13's
-
12
Sponsored By:
- James Macgregor
Sponsored By:
12
Veteran/Masters Sports Achiever of the Year
Awarded to a sports performer who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete in a veteran category of their sport stipulated by the National Governing Body (NGB) e.g. Scottish Swimming Masters is from 25 years and up, or Scottish Women’s Masters Hockey, which is open to players over 40.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain
- NGB age range for veterans/masters
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- James Macgregor
-
13
Sponsored By:
- Winner Aaron Odentz
- Shelley Milne
Sponsored By:
13
Young Coach of the Year (16-25)
Awarded to a community, school or club-based coach, aged 16-25 years, who has made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals or teams in their sport within the city.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of at least one coaching session per week, including when and where the coaching takes place
- A description of the athletes/players coached and at which level they participate/perform
- Current coaching qualifications and additional continuous professional development opportunities undertaken
- Examples of providing a safe, inclusive and fun setting for participation
- Examples of improving performers and/or team
- Examples of how the coach contributes to the local community
- Key achievements since January 2020
Shortlist
- Winner Aaron Odentz
- Shelley Milne
-
14
Sponsored By:
- Kai Crawford
- Winner Kirsty Muir
- Rhys Crawford
Sponsored By:
14
Young Sports Achiever of the Year (Under 18)
Awarded to a sports performer under the age of 18 years, competing at the highest level of their sport, including Para athletes and athletes with disabilities, who has achieved significant success or improvement in their development as an athlete.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Sport(s) played
- Performance level of representation, e.g. Scotland/Great Britain/BUCS
- Age group
- Key achievements since January 2020
- Dedication to training
- Examples of steps taken to improve performance
- Inspirational qualities
Shortlist
- Kai Crawford
- Winner Kirsty Muir
- Rhys Crawford
-
15
Sponsored By:
- Jenna Greig
- Highly Commended Jyden Kinnaird
- Winner Liane Wood
Sponsored By:
15
Young Volunteer of the Year (12-25)
Awarded to a person aged 12-25 years who has volunteered their time and made a significant impact or contribution to the development of individuals, clubs, community or school sport within Aberdeen.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- How long they have been volunteering (minimum of six months)
- What they do, including details of where the volunteering takes place and how many hours they give
- Examples of regular commitment to the role
- Examples of how their voluntary work benefits the wider community
- Examples of going the extra mile
- Key achievements since January 2020
Shortlist
- Jenna Greig
- Jyden Kinnaird
- Winner Liane Wood
-
16
Sponsored By:
- Fernielea School
- Hazlehead Primary
- Winner Virtual School
Sponsored By:
16
School Innovation Award
Awarded to the Aberdeen City school (Primary, Secondary or Additional Support Needs) that has used PEPAS – PE, Physical Activity and Sport – in innovative and positive ways to best support the mental and physical health of their pupils. Nominations should be in the form of a pupil led submission to give the voice of young people. Only one nomination per school.
Your decision should be based on information provided about the Nominee around the following areas:
- Details of theinnovativeand/ or creative approaches taken
- The difference the school’s approach has made topupils’lives
- How pupils have been involved in the planning and development of the approach
- How have the school gone above and beyond
- What is inspiring about the school’s approach
Shortlist
- Fernielea School
- Hazlehead Primary
- Winner Virtual School
Partners
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/display-solutions/all-display-solutions/
Visit Samsung website

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/display-solutions/all-display-solutions/
Visit Samsung website
The Evening Express, Scotland’s biggest selling evening newspaper, produces unrivalled coverage of local news and sport in the north-east of Scotland. Our team of reporters ensures readers are informed of anything that affects them and are primed to react to every breaking incident across the area. Whether it’s the latest development at the Town House or a major, developing story we’re there seven days a week to bring the news everyone wants to read about. The Evening Express features more coverage of our city’s main football club, Aberdeen FC, than anyone else, with our sports team also reporting on Peterhead FC, Cove Rangers, the Highland League and all other local sports. We’ve got the best sport columnists to be had in the north-east, with Dons legends Willie Miller, Joe Harper and Scotland captain Rachel Corsie giving their frank and honest views on anything sport-related.
Visit Evening Express website
The Active Aberdeen Partnership is the strategic lead for physical activity & sport across the city. It brings key organisations, Sport Aberdeen, Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Transition Extreme, Robert Gordon University, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council, sportscotland and Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, together to collaborate in an open and transparent manner. By working effectively together the partnership aims to maximise resources and expertise to bring our vision of making Aberdeen the most active City in Scotland a reality.
Visit Active Aberdeen Partnership website
Sponsors

We are an award-winning registered charity, committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. Our goal is simple; we want to get more people active and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to take part regardless of age, gender or ability. Play your part and join Sport Aberdeen, where all profits are reinvested back into the communities we serve. Our Get active memberships offer access to a range of gyms, classes, golf courses, ice skating, racquets and much more.
Visit Sport Aberdeen website
Aberdeen Sports Village is Scotland’s premier sports, fitness and lifestyle venue and exists as the home for sport in the beautiful city of Aberdeen
From hosting international sports events, offering multiple sports facilities including a 400m athletics track and indoor athletics facility, to an Olympic standard Aquatics Centre, the gym, exercise and lifestyle classes – the village offers a truly inspirational space for all.
Visit Aberdeen Sports Village website
P&J Live is proud to sponsor the Aberdeen Sports Awards and wish all attendees a wonderful event. As Aberdeen’s premier events venue, we boast 48,000 sqm of flexible event space and are gearing up for a busy year ahead, packed full of live entertainment and corporate events. Don’t forget to keep up to date with our event listings at www.pandjlive.com and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon to enjoy our captivating line-up this year and into 2023.
Visit P&J Live website

ClubSport Aberdeen continually strive to encourage and develop a vibrant and inclusive club sport network in the city of Aberdeen, helping clubs make a positive impact through sport on their members, volunteers, and the wider community, by providing local sports clubs with a unified voice and practical support.
ClubSport Aberdeen is a registered charity with a board of trustees from member clubs. The board solicits and welcomes input from clubs, using this as guidance for the organisation’s strategy.
In addition to sharing helpful information and providing practical benefits, ClubSport promotes member clubs through media outlets and advocates for clubs with local facilities, government, and service providers.
Visit Club Sport Aberdeen website

Original 106, the local radio station for Aberdeen and the North East
With fun, banter and competitions to keep the North East happy all day long. Start your day with the BIG Breakfast with Claire & Craig, – through mid-morning with Martin Ingram, our Maximum Music Hour, then the lift home with McCully, – there’s always plenty going on.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Our mix of great music, news and sports news keeps you up to date with everything you need to help you through the day.
Original 106 is available on FM, DAB, and online (website, app and smart speaker).
Visit Original 106 website

idverde is the largest provider of greenspaces services in the UK and in Europe. From advice on outdoor space management through to maintenance, our teams provide landscape design and creation, grounds maintenance, tree surgery, biodiversity management, civil engineering, outdoor facilities management, waterways management and much more.
idverde carries out the grounds maintenance services across 38 outdoor sports facility spaces in Aberdeen, including the four major golf courses, bowling greens, cricket pitches, tennis courts and football pitches. The company’s teams work in partnership with Sports Aberdeen to provide solutions for improving the standards of facilities, through: technical knowledge of sports fine turf; investment in the latest horticultural machinery; environmental management; and biodiversity.

Aberdeen-based Active Balance is the first and only clinic of its kind to use Active Isolated Stretching as its primary treatment in number of areas and conditions, including Sports injury prevention, The Treating of Sports injury and rehabilitation, Skeletal Joint Degeneration, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Joint dysfunction, Spinal Degeneration and more. Clinic founder Garry Nimmo trained for 17 years directly with the creator of the Active Isolated Stretching programme, Mr Aaron Mattes, whose unique system of stretching allows for the body’s deepest tissues to be released without causing aggravation or further injury to connective tissue.
Garry also works with people from all walks of life, including elite athletes of all sports. Aberdeen FC ladies U16’s NPL and U19’s NPL are among the people or Teams who have received and benefited from the introduction of AIS treatments and Stretching.

For more than 150 years, Stronachs has provided generations of people, businesses and their owners, with the highest standard of advice in every area of legal practice.
The firm offers a powerful combination of in-depth sector knowledge and legal expertise rivalling any of the larger, national and international firms. We know the law, we know the market and for us, it’s personal.
All of Stronachs’ clients, from multi-national corporations to family businesses, receive a dedicated, expert and personal service. You are never more than a call away from the person you need to speak to most – we are a part of your team and working for you means working with you, person to person.
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Atholl Scott Financial Services have provided high quality financial planning assistance to individuals and small businesses for over 30 years. We pride ourselves on providing clear, transparent, holistic advice in wealth management and retirement planning, developing long standing and inter-generational client relationships
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Burness Paull is a leading independent law firm, based in Scotland and providing advice and support to our clients, both in the UK and internationally. Our focus is on delivering success for our clients. In doing so, we strive to achieve the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and ethics and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws as well as the professional obligations we have as a firm of solicitors.
This Supplier Code of Business sets out the values and principles that are important to us and which we expect all our suppliers to adopt and follow. We seek to work with suppliers who contribute to sustainable development and are economically, environmentally and socially responsible. It is also to ensure our compliance with legal requirements including those relating to anti-bribery and corruption, financial crime and data protection.
We will ensure our expectations and the requirements set out in this Code are relevant and proportionate to the size of your organisation and the service you provide to us.
Visit Burness Paull website
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools Team deliver sportscotland’s national Active Schools initiative in Aberdeen. Active Schools provides free extra curricular sport and physical activity opportunities to encourage children and young people to participate in. The team works with all primary, secondary and additional support needs schools in the city. An army of volunteers, from teachers and school staff, parents, senior pupils, students and sports club coaches, are at the heart of the Active Schools programme, delivering a range of different sports and activities. A mainstream programme for all, Active Schools also has a focus on ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunities to enjoy and benefit from participating in sport.
Visit Active Schools website
ITC are a modern facing, dynamic solutions driven company, providing full Hydraulic and Electrical Design, Manufacturing, Service and Repair, Equipment Hire, Offshore and Onshore Personnel and Component Supply.
We can deliver a more flexible, fast response and cost-effective service, tailored specifically to meet the needs of our clients.
Our goal has always been to deliver the highest quality of service and build upon our established reputation for quality and flexibility.
ITC enjoy high levels of repeat business attained through constant dedication, commitment, attention to detail and safety.
FPAL verified and certified with UKAS Management system ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015 & ISO45001:2018.
In 2019 ITC set up a new manufacturing division to provide fabrication and machining services which is now based at our St Katherines site, with the Hydraulics division having recently moved to a larger facility in Oldmeldrum.

Balfour+Manson is a leading 22 partner, medium-sized law firm based in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, delivering legal services in the areas of dispute resolution, employment, commercial and charities, and private client and property work. The firm combines the best of traditional values with a modern, progressive approach.
Our lawyers take pride in delivering a personalised service to all clients, including public sector organisations, regulatory and disciplinary bodies, companies, partnerships and individuals. Our specialist sports law team, led by Robert Holland, is readily available to assist players, athletes, coaches and agents faced with any legal difficulties related to their sport, or any disciplinary or regulatory issues with their sport’s governing body.
Visit Balfour Manson websiteJudges
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Ryan Cryle
Head of Sport, Evening Express
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Graeme Dale
Development Manager, Sport Aberdeen
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Brian Pahlmann
Chair, ClubSport Aberdeen
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Alison Shaw
Grampian Regional Manager, Scottish Disability Sport
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Donald Pirie
Regional Performance Manager, SportScotland Institue of Sport Regional Performance Manager