But floorball, which originated in Sweden, could soon rival football and rugby as one of the biggest sports in the Borders.

Local team Hawick Hawks were voted Team of the Year at Borders Sport and Leisure’s Celebration of Sports Awards in Peebles on Friday.

Its under 16 side became the first Scottish team to win be crowned UKFF National Youth Champions last year, when three of their players - Ben Storrie, Michael Smyth and Scott Fleming - also represented Great Britain in the under 19s World Cup qualifiers in Spain.

The club, which is part of the Scottish Floorball League, started with only five youth players by former members of Trinity Floorball Club in 2007.

However, now it has around 40 players who have taken part in UKFF National Championships, with teams in under 13s, under 16s and adult age groups.

Coach Craig Girvan, a former British champion who has played in four World Cups and has more than 50 caps for his country, also runs classes in Jedburgh and Kelso.

Now he wants to use the club’s latest success to set up new floorball teams in Galashiels, Selkirk and the rest of the Borders.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph after being presented with his award by Editor Ally McGilvray, Craig said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. When they won the British last year I took a minute and went to the corner of the hall, I just wanted to take it in. They’ve trained hard and they deserve everything that they’ve won.

“There are a couple of internationalists there who have been to the World Cup last year as well.” And he added: “If they stick together and train hard they will be Scottish champions, if no British champions as well.” Hawks saw off competition from Gala Waverley Bowling Club and Melrose Rugby Club to lift the title.

Craig said: “I played for a team in Fife for ten years after the Hawick Trinity team folded and when I turned 37 I reached a crossroads and had to decide whether to retire or go into coaching.

“I thought I’ll get the kids involved and a couple of the lads that used to play came back and we started Hawick Hawks. We started with five kids and now we’ve got something like 40 kids now. The club was founded in 2007 but didn’t really have a team until about three years ago.” It was a fantastic night for sport in Hawick with a number of sports from the town represented at the awards.

Hawick Youth Football Club was presented with the Positive Coaching Scotland Award.

It was recognised for its inclusion policy, with around 200 children aged from under 8 to under 18 taking part.

Frank Scott, chairman of Hawick Youth Football Club, said: “This award is recognition for our volunteer coaches and all the hard work they have put in. We’ve won cup finals and things like that but this is special.

“We’re not getting a lot of children coming along because they are seeing that every is getting a game. It’s all different abilities but they all pay the same to come so they all should get the same chance to play.

“We’ve got 11 different age groups and we just want to keep it going. It’s great to see them all just playing and enjoying themselves.” And he added: “I am pleased to see Hawks receive an award, floorball is a sport which has slipped under the radar, and it’s good to see them getting some recognition.”