GREAT Britain hockey star Sarah Robertson admits winning the Club Sport Ettrick and Lauderdale Sports Personality of the Year award is the perfect tonic.

The 22-year-old law student from Selkirk is currently based in London with Team GB.

Since breaking into the Scottish team as a teenager, Sarah has clocked up an amazing 67 caps for her country.

Despite already winning four starts for Team GB in the run up to the Rio 2016 Olympics, she has been plagued with doubts in recent weeks.

Sarah told Friday evening’s awards ceremony: “I am genuinely humbled to receive this award.

“I am very much a small fish in a big pond down in London with the GB team.

“I was on crutches with sore shins and was down in the dumps a bit when I got the letter to say I’d won. It was the boost I needed.”

One sports personality who isn’t in need of a boost at the moment is Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend.

The 42-year-old from St Boswells, who won 82 caps for Scotland, guided the Scotstoun team to their first ever Pro 12 title last season and he’s being tipped for national coaching honours in years to come.

With the Warriors playing in Cardiff the following day, Gregor’s father, Peter, who himself was a great of the oval ball, collected the Coach of the Year award.

Townsend senior revealed that it was another family member who was the guiding light towards his son’s success. He said: “We are all very proud of what Gregor has achieved in his rugby career.

“Gregor could not have done all of what he has done without the support of his wife, Claire. He wouldn’t be where is today without Claire being behind him.”

Another award winner on Friday, also paid tribute to the support of his family.

Selkirk teenager Josh Thomson, who was named Junior Coach of the Year, has established himself as one of the best tennis coaches in the Borders after coming through the ranks at his hometown club.

Josh said: “I would like to thanks everyone at Selkirk Tennis Club and at Borders Sport and Leisure for all of their help and encouragement.

“Most importantly, though, I’d like to thank my family for taking me all over the place to allow me to coach.”

Another teenager on his way to great things lifted the Junior Sports Personality Award.

Galashiels Academy head boy Thomas Otton, who hails from Heriot, won the Under 20s Scottish Junior Hill Running League despite being one of the youngest competitors.

And also went on to win another two Scotland vests – finishing a fantastic 12th at the World Mountain Running Association International Youth Cup in Bulgaria.

Thomas, who competes for Gala Harriers, told Friday’s ceremony: “It means a huge amount to win this award.

“A lot of people have helped me and I would like to thank everyone at Gala Harriers and especially my coach Neil Renton for all of their support.”

Swimming sensation Beth Johnson, who is also a pupil at Galashiels Academy, was crowned Disability Athlete of the Year.

The teenager won five gold medals at the Scottish Disability Sport Junior Championships during the season – breaking an 18-year record for the 50 metres backstroke. She would later go on to break the 200 metres individual medley, 100 metres freestyle and 100 metres backstroke during 2015.

Since 1990 Thomas ‘Tucker’ McCall has been the driving force behind Stow FC.

His loyal service to the village amateur team was acknowledged during an entertaining welcome by his fellow football stalwart Fred Blackie.

Thomas admitted he was shocked to have by won the Services to Sport award. He told Friday’s ceremony: “I am surprised and humbled to win this award.

“There are loads of Tuckers at clubs across the Borders.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers were named Club of the Year for their ongoing development and community work since the amalgamation of Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers three years ago.

And Selkirk RFC’s historic unbeaten league campaign during 2014/15 deservedly earned them Team of the Year.