Orkney Sports Awards

Selection Criteria and Eligibility

IMAGE: The cover identifies the document as “ORKNEY SPORTS AWARDS” and “Selection Criteria and Eligibility”. It also includes the text “sportscotland activeschools ORKNEY” and “ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL”. The cover features the Orkney Sports Awards logo and abstract blue, purple and red flowing line designs.

General Criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards

1. Achievements from the 1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025 are eligible for consideration.

2. Individual nominees must either be registered at birth in Orkney or have resided in Orkney for at least two years prior to the nomination deadline.

3. Nominated teams must be from a club within Orkney.

4. A team must consist of a group of two or more athletes representing their age group/club/parish/district/region or country.

5. A minimum of three nominations in a category must be received before an award can be presented.

6. No full-time professional athlete will be considered in any award.

7. All persons nominated for a coaching or voluntary award must have been involved in sport in a voluntary capacity.

8. Nominated clubs must be fully constituted (evidence of this should be provided if needed).

Judging Panel Considerations

• Achievements of the individual/team/persons.
• Progress of the individual/team, at local, regional, district, national or international level.
• The commitment of the nominated persons.
• Personal awards/achievements of the nominee.
• Barriers overcome throughout the year/season.
• Any other significant areas highlighted in the nomination.
• All nominations will be considered based on the quality of nominations rather than quantity.
• Previous winners of this award will be considered based on the current nomination only.

Categories

Sportsperson of the Year

Sportsperson of the Year will be awarded to an *individual who has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Displayed an outstanding level of personal achievement at local, county, regional, district, national or international level in their chosen sport.
• Made significant improvements throughout the year.
• Gone above and beyond to achieve sporting success and/or overcome significant barriers.
• The wider contribution of the individual to their sport and local communities.

*An Orkney athlete competing as an individual i.e. singles events or as part of a team.

Young Sportsperson of the Year (18 years and under)

Young Sportsperson of the Year will be awarded to an *individual who has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Displayed an outstanding level of personal achievement at local, county, regional, district, national or international level in their chosen sport.
• Made significant improvements throughout the year.
• Gone above and beyond to achieve sporting success and/or overcome significant barriers.
• The wider contribution of the individual to their sport and local communities.

*An Orkney athlete competing as an individual i.e. singles events or as part of a team.

Athletes should be aged 18 and under at the time of nominated performance(s). Performances at both senior and age group events are eligible.

Team of the Year

Team of the Year will be awarded to an Orkney team that has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Have been successful in local, regional national or international competitions.
• Successes of the team at the level they compete - e.g. school/local/regional/district/national/international competition.
• Improvements throughout the year.
• Gone above and beyond to achieve sporting success and/or overcome significant barriers.

Young Team of the Year

Young Team of the Year will be awarded to an Orkney team that has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Have been successful in local, regional national or international competitions.
• Success of the team at the level they compete - e.g. school/local/regional/district/national/international competition.
• Improvements throughout the year.
• Gone above and beyond to achieve sporting success and/or overcome significant barriers.

Performance of the Year

This award recognises an outstanding one-off performance by an athlete or team. It will be awarded to the athlete/team who have:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Performed above their expectations.
• Their performance has had an inspirational impact.

Official of the Year

This award recognises the hard work and dedication that referees, umpires and match officials make to the competition structure in their sport.

Official of the Year will be awarded to the individual that has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Demonstrated outstanding commitment to their club by officiating regularly at either: local, regional, national or international level enabling competition structures in their sport to take place.
• Has invested time and energy in their development as an official, undertaking continuous professional development opportunities.
• Has been an inspiration and positive role model for participants, the organisation and spectators.

Volunteer of the Year

This award will be made to a volunteer, aged over 25 years, who has made an outstanding contribution (in a non-coaching or officiating role) to their club or sport, in recognition of their commitment over the past 12 months.

Volunteer of the Year will be awarded to the individual that has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Has volunteered on a regular basis throughout the year, given up a substantial amount of time to volunteer.
• Has volunteered in any aspect for their sport/club and without them, the sport/club would not be the same.
• Has been an inspiration and positive role model for participants, the club and spectators.
• Has provided inclusive opportunities, helping to remove barriers and reduced inequalities in sport.
• Has adopted a person-centred approach to volunteering, taking time to understand people's needs and supporting others.

Young Volunteer of the Year

This award will be made to a coach or volunteer aged 25 years or younger (on 31 October 2025) in recognition of their achievements to date. This award looks for young coaches or volunteers that have invested in their development as a coach and/or made a significant difference to the sport they are involved in.

Young Volunteer of the Year will be awarded to the individual that has:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Has been an inspiration and a positive role model.
• Has volunteered on a regular basis throughout the year, given up a substantial amount of time to volunteer.
• Has volunteered in any aspect for their sport/club and without them, the sport/club would not be the same.

Or

• Has delivered regular quality coaching sessions to a group or to individual meeting the needs of all participants.
• Created a safe and enjoyable environment for participation and demonstrated good practice in their coaching.
• Has invested time and energy in their development as a coach, undertaking continuous professional development opportunities.

Coach of the Year

Coach of the Year will be awarded to an individual who has met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above) and either:

1. Made an outstanding contribution to the development of sport for athletes of all/any ability.

2. Has supported the development of athletes or teams and has significantly increased the sporting opportunities available and participation levels within their community.

3. Has ensured that athletes or teams with emerging talent have made an impact at district, regional, national or international level.

The following will be taken into consideration when judging the nomination:

• Has delivered regular quality coaching sessions to a group or to individuals, meeting the needs of all participants.
• Has invested time and energy in their development as a coach, undertaking continuous professional development opportunities and holds a recognised SGB qualification appropriate to the level at which they coach.
• Has helped their athletes or teams reach their potential.
• Has provided inclusive opportunities by using approaches that remove barriers to participation.
• Has adopted a person-centred approach to coaching, taking time to understand their participant's needs and goals and helping them reach their potential.
• Has coached athletes or teams who have made an impact at local, district, regional, national or international level which may include a significant improvement in performance, although not necessarily the winning of trophies.
• Has helped participants to develop their skills, build confidence and resilience, and develop a positive attitude towards sport and physical activity.

School Sport Volunteer of the Year

This award will be made to the School Sport Volunteer, who has made an outstanding contribution to their school club/sport, due to their commitment this year.

The following may be taken into consideration when judging the nomination:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Has worked in any aspect of their school/school club – without them, the sport/club would not be the same.
• Has given up a substantial quantity of time to volunteer.
• Has provided inclusive opportunities by using approaches that remove barriers to participation.
• Has been an inspiration and positive role model for participants and the school.

Club of the Year

This will be awarded to a community sports club who delivers an outstanding service and has made a significant contribution to sport in Orkney. The size and resource of the club will be considered when assessing the nomination and the club should be able to demonstrate their impact in at least one of the following areas:

• Participation
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• People development
• Collaboration
• Performance
• Meeting community need

The following may be taken into consideration when judging the nomination:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Achievements of the whole club.
• Improvements throughout the year.
• Impact on the community.
• Developments within the club including new policies, sections, etc.
• Development opportunities for volunteers and members.
• Barriers overcome throughout the year.
• Other significant areas highlighted by the nomination will be considered if they highlight a contribution to sport.

Sports Photograph of the Year – sponsored by Sporting Memories

Sports Photograph will be awarded to an amateur photographer who captures a sporting moment from the past year that captures the essence of sport, whether it be an athlete, team, volunteer or spectator.

The following may be taken into consideration when judging the nomination:

• Met the general criteria for the Orkney Sports Awards (see above).
• Images should retain their naturalism and integrity.
• High quality definition of the photograph.
• Images should exhibit skill, determination, emotion and/or challenge.
• Images should express the true spirit of the event.

NB. A condition of entry is that the copyright of all photographs will pass to the Sport and Leisure Team for publicity use at no cost and uploaded onto the Sporting Memories website.

Queries

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Orkney Active Schools team on 01856 873535 ext. 2442 or at active-schools@orkney.gov.uk