Top marks for Newbattle High at Scottish sports awards

Newbattle High School, based in Midlothian, have been presented with the School Sport prize at the annual Scottish Sports Awards, hosted by sportscotland.

A citation said that the school had worked tirelessly implementing successful initiatives such as Sports Personality Awards developed by the young people and supported by the Health and Wellbeing Department.  

Also, Young Ambassadors were credited with being integral to school sport and physical activity delivery. Consequently. there has been an 80% increase in extra-curricular participation across the last 18 months, reinforcing the impact the Young Ambassadors have had on school programmes.

Younger year groups and individuals look up to them as role models and are inspired to get more involved in sport and physical activity.

Pupil voice is clearly a critical part of the approach and ethos of the school and this is evident throughout the Gold School Sport Award application. Young people clearly have the opportunity to drive and shape sport in the school and are inspiring other young people to positively engage with sport and physical activity.

Niamh Fellenger, Sports co-ordinator at Newbattle High, said: “This award means everything and it’s really rewarding for our young people who just give so much energy and passion into everything we do.

“As a staff we really want our young people to thrive and do well in their sport. Finding their role in sport, whether its participating as an athlete, coaching or volunteering, it’s just making sure that it’s something that will be lifelong and not just while they are with us at school.”

Chair of sportscotland, Maureen Campbell, said: “There have been so many incredible achievements across Scottish Sport over the last twelve months.

“Every year the Scottish Sports Awards reminds us of the power of sport and its ability to inspire and unite “

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Ian Reid, added: “This has been a fantastic celebration of a remarkable year of sporting achievement, from the success of our Olympians and Paralympians in Paris to the many local heroes who continue to go above and beyond to help sport to flourish in clubs, schools and communities across Scotland.

The full list of Scottish Sport Awards 2024 Winners:

School Sport Award – Newbattle High School

Club Sport Award – North Ayrshire Table Tennis Club

Sustainability in Scottish Sport Award – Melissa Wilson

Scottish Governing Body Award – Judo Scotland

Community Hero Award – Lauren Deacon

Coach of the Year – Claire Morrison (Boccia)

Young Athlete of the Year – Aidan Lennan (Kickboxing)

Moment of the Year (sponsored by the University of Edinburgh)-  Glasgow Warriors Winning BKT United Rugby Championship

Male Athlete of the Year – Duncan Scott MBE (Swimming)

Female Athlete of the Year – Beth Potter (Triathlon)

Female Para Athlete of the Year – Samantha Kinghorn MBE (Athletics)

Male Para Athlete of the Year – Stephen McGuire (Boccia)

Team of the Year – Scotland Women’s Cricket Team

Sportsperson of the Year – Duncan Scott MBE (Swimming)

Scottish Sports Hall of Fame Inductees – Jim Anderson OBE, Colin Montgomerie OBE and Dame Katherine Grainger DBE