Team Scotland and sportscotland have confirmed that cycling has been shortlisted in six categories at the 2022 Scottish Sports Awards 2022.
Taking place on Wednesday 7 December 2022, the event will celebrate the best of Scottish sport, with the shortlists recognising what an incredible year it was been for cycling in Scotland.
The Athlete of the Year Awards so often take top billing, but the community focused awards are just as important, so it is tremendous to see Falkirk Junior Bike Club nominated for the Club Sport Award and Arran High School for the School Sport Award.
Arran High School, through its MTB Club, have embedded cycling and sport more broadly into so many aspects of school life, catering for as wide a group of pupils as possible, and runs four cycling sessions a week, with over 20% of the school roll regularly participating. The club recognised the need to cater for girls in the school in a different way this year and has therefore developed a female leader who now leads a thriving girls group on a weekly basis. During the pandemic, club members offered free bike repairs to all Children on the island and continue this weekly through their school workshop. The club is currently spearheading a project to develop the first purpose built cycling facility on the island, and have secured over £250k investment, including money from the Cycling Facilities Fund.
FJBC have enjoyed a standout 12 months, with notable achievements in all areas of cycle sport. From their Holiday Hunger programme that fed 1,400 children and young people during the summer, to staging 10 events all the way up to British series level, the club is thriving, with more than 150 youth members who enjoy a range of seven weekly sessions, offering a wide variety of opportunities across multiple disciplines.
Following her maiden World title earlier this month and after winning more medals at a single Commonwealth Games than any other Scottish female cyclist in history, Neah Evans is rightly recognised on the Female Athlete of the Year shortlist, but will face stiff competition in a highly competitive category.
On the male side, Jack Carlin’s Birmingham exploits, where he won a brace of medals, before adding World bronze in the Team Sprint this month, earn him a spot on the Male Athlete of the Year shortlist, whilst it is not a surprise to see Neil Fachie, alongside Lewis Stewart, on the shortlist for Para Athlete of the Year. Neil became the most decorated Scottish gold medallist in Commonwealth Games history in Birmingham, he and Lewis winning a memorable Tandem 1km Time Trial contest, before adding silver in the sprint. Neil then went on to win two World titles in France, taking his lifetime total of global crowns to 16.
Last but not least, Scottish Cycling has been shortlisted for the Sport Governing Body Award, an incredible accolade in it’s own right. As well as a record-breaking medal haul at the Commonwealth Games, the organisation has rolled out its Rock Up & Ride programme, giving a bike to children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford one, and in collaboration with sportscotland, will award £8 million to the development of cycling facilities across the country – total investment will exceed £16m with match funding.
On top of all this, we launched a new brand, moving the organisation into 2022 and beyond, as we work towards making the most of the opportunity the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships present.
Good luck to all those shortlisted for an award!
Should you wish to attend the event, which is taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, tickets are on sale here.
