Ayrshire Sportsability Awards Ceremony 2017

Ayrshire Sportsability held the ninth Annual Awards Ceremony on 18th March 2017 in the Princess Royal Suite, Ayr Racecourse.  The Awards gave us the opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements in disability sport in Ayrshire.

We had five categories including Athlete, Young Athlete, Most Active School, Disability Sports Coach and Activity in the Community.

The judges were inundated with nominations which in itself is a brilliant message that disability sport is being practised all over Ayrshire. The three finalists from each category were invited to attend the ball to find out if they won!

We were very fortunate to have shining examples of disability sport in the room on the night. We had Team McCowan who were part of the GB Boccia squad in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, along with Abby Kane who, aged only 13, won a silver medal in the S13 100m backstroke in Rio 2016.

Also supporting us was our very own patron Angie Malone who is part of the GB wheelchair curling squad.  Angie was just home from the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in South Korea where the team won bronze.

We also had Fiona Dawson who is a multi-Special Olympics swimming medallist and Danielle Joyce who is a multi-world Deaflympics medal holder.

Our guests were inspired by the impressive line-up that was in attendance on the evening.

Dr Waiyin Hatton, Chair of Ayrshire Sportsability said: “This year’s celebration was the most spectacular to date, with the new generation of local Paralympians winning the Athlete and Young Athlete awards. In addition, we saw a host of other aspiring talents.  Together with the momentum of school sports activities, strong coaching and greater capacities in clubs, Ayrshire continues to be the place to nurture athletes in disability sports.”

Ayrshire Sportsability began in 2001 when it was realised that children with disabilities did not have the same opportunities in sport as their peers.  In 2014 we began working with adults with disabilities.

If you would like to find out more about Ayrshire Sportsability, the next Awards, fundraising events or to take part in disability sport please contact admin@ayrshiresportsability.org.uk.