Peeblesshire News | Sport | Old and young pick up the top honours

Published: Friday, 2nd May, 2008 12:00

Old and young pick up the top honours

By David Knox

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A group of the winners.

SPORTING stars of the future, present and past were given a rapturous welcome at the Peebles Hydro Hotel on Friday for the annual Tweeddale Sports Council Awards.

Cricketing legend Terry Racionzer was the guest of honour.

And the former Sussex all-rounder proved the perfect opener for a night of sporting celebrations.

Jim Noble from Tweeddale Sports Council paid tribute to one of Scotland’s greatest ever batsmen. He said: “Terry Racionzer played alongside the likes of Ted Dexter, John Snow, Jim Parks and Tony Greig with a first-class highest score of 115.

“Terry has recently continued his interest in, and passion for, cricket by instituting and sponsoring scholarships to give promising young players overseas experience.”

A stirring and thought-provoking address by the 65-times capped player was followed by the annual awards ceremony.

And it proved to be a night for the young and the old.

Pensioner Charlie Russell made history by becoming the first coach be honoured twice by the sports council.

The Innerleithen coach told a packed ceremony: “This award is for my athletes. It is them who do all of the hard work – I just stand at the side.”

At the other end of the age-scale 17-year-old Chris O’Hare lifted the Peeeblesshire News Sports Personality of the Year. He told the assembled guests: “It is great

honour for me to be awarded this.”

Go Kart star Robbie Dalgliesh has already won 80 trophies – and he’s only 13. The teenager was presented with the Junior Sports Personality Award.

Cricketer Sean Taylor bowled over the panel this year with his sterling work with young players in Peebles. The 20-year-old was named Junior Sports Coach of the Year.

It was a good year for football in Innerleithen with Leithen Rovers winning a treble last season.

Captian Andy Laurie accepted the team of the year award from Councillor Neil Calvert.

Andy said: “This is for everybody involved with Leithen Rovers. Not just the players and management but also all of the people who do so much work behind the scenes.”

John Sterricks was presented with the Service to Local Sport Award for his two decades of playing, coaching and fundraising with Peebles Rovers.

PEEBLESSHIRE NEWS SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Chris O’Hare – The 17-year-old is already an accomplished international athlete with a string of national titles to his name.

Chris became the Scottish Under 17 Cross Country Champion, Under 17 1500 metres and 800 metres Scottish Champion, indoor Under 17 1500 metres Scottish Champion and also captained Scotland to Home International gold at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.

The West Linton teenager also won many prestigious races all over the UK at both Under 17 and Under 20 level and is being hotly tipped as a star of the future.

Chris was introduced by Sheila Horsburgh from Tweeddale Sports Council.

And he was presented with the award by David Knox from the Peeblesshire News.

PEEBLESSHIRE NEWS JUNIOR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Robbie Dalgliesh – The 13-year-old chalked up twelve first places on the go-karting circuit during 2007, as well as two seconds and a third at circuits across the UK.

In August Robbie became the first driver to win both the Scottish Cadet title for two-stroke engines as well as the same honour for four-stroke karting – something not even David Coulthard could achieve.

The Peebles driver also won the Cadet Scottish Super Series in his Honda kart.

Between the ages of 8 and 13 the Peebles High pupil has won over 80 trophies.

Robbie was introduced by Colin McDonald from Tweeddale Sports Council.

And he was presented with this award by Rick Kennney from Scottish Borders Council.

SALSC – SPORT SCOTLAND SERVICES TO LOCAL SPORT

John Sterricks – The former player, coach and committee man at Peebles Rovers returned from his new home of Newcastle to accept this award.

John’s financial background helped his become as important a player in the club’s finances as he was on the field for over 15 years.

His playing career ended with injury in 1999 but John’s contribution to his local team continued on the touchlines up until a promotion at work took him south of the Border.

It is widely accepted that John’s fundraising activities from 2004 until 2006 prevented the historic club from folding.

John was introduced by David Graham from Tweeddale Sports Council.

And he was presented with his award by David Laing from the Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils.

GYTES LEISURE CENTRE COACH OF THE YEAR

Charlie Russell – The athletics guru became the first to ever win this award twice.

Charlie’s has regularly produced champions on the running track for the best part of 40 years but 2007 proved to be one of his best yet.

Athletes from his Innerleithen stable won nine Scottish Championships, two Scottish Games league titles, and five international call-ups.

To crown a great year for the pensioner he also trained Craig Robertson to become the youngest ever winner of the New Year Sprint.

Charlie was introduced by Alan Duncan from Tweeddale Sports Council.

And he was presented with his award by Councillor Graham Garvie from Scottish Borders Council.

GYTES LEISURE CENTRE JUNIOR COACH OF THE YEAR

Sean Taylor – Cricketing prospect Sean Taylor is making a name for himself both in front of the wicket and in the training nets.

The 20-year-old began assisting with coaching at his hometown team of Peebles in 2005 and the following year became one of the youngest in the country to pass the UKCC Level II coaching grade.

Sean took over coaching Peebles’ Under 15s last year and has been appointed the Borders regional Under 13s coach for 2008.

Sean was introduced by cricket development officer Neil Cameron.

And he was presented with his award by cricket legend Terry Racionzer.

BANK OF SCOTLAND TEAM OF THE YEAR

Leithen Rovers – Under the guidance of Alan Notman and Lindsay Rathie the 60-year-old club had their most successful season in 2006/07.

Leithen Rovers won the Border Amateur Division A title for the first time in 30 years – scoring 85 goals and conceding only 21 – they won the prestigious South Cup, and completed the treble by lifting the Beveridge Cup.

Leithen Rovers captain Andy Laurie was introduced by George Brown from Tweeddale Sports Council.

And he was presented with the award by Councillor Neil Calvert.

TWEEDDALE TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Ladies’ Singles – Kirsty Louden (Innerleithen)

Men’s Singles – Michael Fairburn (Peebles)

Ladies’ Doubles – Jane Lord and Anne McKinnon (Peebles)

Mixed Doubles – Jane Lord and John Lord (Peebles)

Men’s Doubles – Andre Webb and Gavin Willins (Broughton)

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

Rugby - Ryan McConnel (Under 18s)

Athletics – Linda Nicholson (Masters), Susan Ridley (Masters), Stacey Downie (Under 23s) & Chris O’Hare (Under 20s)

Football – Kevin Thomson (B Squad) & Ross Campbell (Under 21)