SPORT pumps through Scotland’s veins.
For years the country has kicked, ran, jumped, hit balls and punched above its weight.
The past 12 months have been no different, and we have had no shortage of heroes.
Elise Christie overcame Olympic heartache to rule the world at the Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Holland.
Middle-distance runner Laura Muir struck gold – twice – at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Serbia.
In tennis, Jamie Murray teamed up with Martina Hingis to put wee brother, Sir Andy, in the shade by winning the mixed doubles title at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Rugby union icon Stuart Hogg and boxer Josh Taylor were another two of the many to distinguish themselves over the past 12 months.
Now it’s once again time to celebrate the brightest sporting heroes the country has to offer.
The Sunday Post has teamed up with music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins Scotland to celebrate the Scottish Sporting Awards.
We want to recognise the most inspirational sporting figures from around the country.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re performing superhuman feats at the Olympics or putting cones out on the park on a wet Saturday morning.
From the finest coaches to the outstanding newcomers, over the coming weeks we’ll bring you all the nominees in each of 10 fantastic categories.
Then, on Friday, March 23, all our nominated sporting heroes will gather at a star-studded bash at the glitzy Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, the venue for last year’s star-studded bash where Dame Katherine Grainger and Alex McLeish took top billing.
Categories include team performance of the year, which will recognise the players who came together as a group to beat the odds.
While the breakthrough award will celebrate the new sporting stars aiming to emulate the likes of Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Alex Ferguson by becoming tomorrow’s legends.
And a special recognition award will honour one of Scotland’s biggest sporting heroes.
Their identity will be revealed in an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post five days before the ceremony on March 18.
But the NRS Scottish Sporting Awards isn’t just a glittering ceremony. Nordoff Robbins
Scotland is the country’s largest music therapy charity, dedicated to changing the lives of vulnerable and isolated people.
Sunday Post columnist Donald MacLeod is chairman of its fundraising committee.
Donald is head of the Hold Fast Entertainment Group, which runs many of Glasgow’s top nightclubs.
He said: “I’m delighted that everyone at The Sunday Post feels so very strongly about supporting Nordoff Robbins Scotland’s work, as they provide support and music therapy to people affected by autism, dementia, stroke and so much more.
“As with music, Scotland produces exceptional results in all areas of sport and we celebrate their achievements.
“It promises to be a brilliant night and I can’t wait to honour our sporting icons and unsung heroes.”
JOIN US
The prestigious NRS Scottish Sporting Awards take place on March 23 at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh and we’d love to see you there. For ticket and table information, email simon@nrscot.org.uk or call 0131 629 6363
DONATE
Help change lives by giving just a £5 donation. Text MMCL17 5 to 70070, visit nrscot.org.uk to donate online or send a cheque payable to Nordoff Robbins Scotland to its office at 4 Logie Mill, Beaverbank Business Park, Edinburgh EH7 4HG.
NOMINATE
You can also vote for who you want to be the Male Parasport Personality of the Year and the Female Parasport Personality of the Year.
Last year, the male award was won by cyclist Neil Fachie.
He brought glory home to Aberdeen from the Paralympic Games at Rio 2016 with a fantastic silver at the tandem B kilo.
And he was followed on to the stage by Maria Lyle, winner of the Women’s Parasport Personality of the Year award.
The teenage sprinting sensation had already won five gold medals at the European Championships, and added a silver and two bronze medals in Rio.
They are both hard acts to follow, but there are plenty of candidates out there who continue to produce sporting excellence against all odds.
Male parasports personality
Female parasports personality
Last year’s awards
On Friday, March 10 2017, it was a night of champions.
Scotland’s sporting heroes came together to celebrate the best of the best for a wonderful cause.
The Nordoff Robbins Scotland Sporting Awards turned out to be a fantastic evening in Prestonfield House in Edinburgh.
It was a ceremony to honour the stars of Scottish sport and over the past eight weeks we’ve revealed the categories and nominees.
The glitzy ceremony saw legends like football hero Alex McLeish and Olympian Dame Katherine Grainger walk off with top awards.
As well as iconic names from the top level of Scottish sport, community champions and amateur sides were also honoured.
And the country’s Paralympic heroes from Rio were praised in a ceremony hosted by Sky Sports’ David Tanner.
The memorable evening was the first ever Scottish Sporting Awards and was held by one of Scotland’s biggest charities – Nordoff Robbins Scotland (NRS).
The awards night was the brainchild of Sunday Post columnist Donald MacLeod, chairman of NRS.
The man of the hour was undoubtedly Aberdeen, Rangers and Scotland legend Alex McLeish who picked up the Lifetime Achievement award for his career both as a player and a manager.