THE great and good of Borders sport were celebrated in style on Friday night in Selkirk.

Around 180 supporters packed into the Victoria Halls for this year’s Celebration of Sport, hosted by local charity Live Borders.

Graeme Murdoch, active communities manager for Live Borders said: "This is the seventh Celebration of Sport event and, yet again, it has resulted in a hugely diverse range of deserving winners and nominees.

“The event celebrates the achievements of individuals, teams, clubs, events and the heroes behind the scenes, all of whom contribute to the Borders sporting landscape and ensure that our communities are healthier, happier and stronger as a result.”

It was an evening of celebration for rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir.

The 49-year-old from Stow, who gained 61 caps for his country, was the popular winner of the Inspirational Award.

It was a legend from a different ball game who was inducted into the Scottish Borders Sporting Hall of Fame

Jim Jefferies played and managed some of the top clubs in Scotland.

Having recently suffered a heart attack during a golf match, the 68-year-old from Lauder, who guided Heart of Midlothian to a Scottish Cup win, told the audience that he's recovering well.

A public vote decided this year's Sports Personality of the Year.

And it was Hawick's flying winger Darcy Graham who came out on top.

The 22-year-old has just enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season for Scotland and hopes remain high that he'll help his country to success in the World Cup.

Teenager Ellie O'Hara from Cardrona is one of the most exciting young athletes to have ever emerged from the Borders.

And it came as no surprise that the number one ranked age-group triple jumper in the UK was named as the 2019 Junior Sports Personality.

Coach of the Year also went to athletics, with evergreen Neil Renton collecting the award.

Under Neil's guidance, Gala Harriers have remained the biggest and most successful athletics club in the Borders.

And over the last 18 months more than a dozen of his runners have gained regional call-ups with four of them earning Scottish age group vests.

Melrose football's Christie Rout was named as the Junior Coach of the Year.

Christie also coaches the girls' football team at Earlston High School, and works one-on-one with with pupils who are visually impaired.

Few teams in Scotland will have matched the trophy haul of Hawick Waverley last season.

The 2019 Team of the Year were undefeated domestically throughout the season, winning four trophies along the way, including the prestigious South of Scotland Cup.

Kelso Wheelers were the deserved Club of the Year winners.

Now with over 100 active members, Kelso Wheelers offer something for everyone from youth to senior level, participating in a variety of cycling related events.

Duns disability curler David Melrose was named as the winner of this year's Disability Sports Award.

David was serving as a retained firefighter when he was hit by a falling steel beam which broke his back.

Having discovered wheelchair-curling, his life changed again.

In March, David competed as part of Team Scotland at the World Wheelchair Curling Championships in Stirling.

Hawick football stalwart Billy Brunton was rewarded for decades of work by being presented with the Services to Sport award.

And the Event of the Year trophy was won by the Duns round of the British Motocross Championship.

Live Borders chief executive Ewan Jackson said: "These awards celebrate everything that is good about Borders sport and the calibre and diverse range of nominees was once again exceptional.

“Over the past 12 months, the sporting success stories within our region were at a premium with outstanding performances at global, national as well as local levels.

“All this would not be possible without the backing of schools, clubs, coaches, volunteers, parents, governing bodies, and of course the events themselves which provide opportunities for people to participate and excel at their level.

“Tonight, we celebrated the role and the commitment of these people who collaborate to make sport in the region as successful as it is.”

Hall of Fame – Sponsored by Border Embroideries: Jim Jefferies

Sports Personality of the Year – Sponsored by Fantasy Prints: Darcy Graham (Rugby)

Junior Sports Personality of the Year – Sponsored by Gladstone Software: Ellie O’Hara (Athletics)

Coach of the Year – Sponsored by Finlaysons Contracts: Neil Renton

Junior Coach of the Year – sponsored by Marsh & Riddell: Christie Rout

Team of the Year – Sponsored by Endsleigh Insurance: Hawick Waverley FC

Club of the Year – Sponsored by DFC: Kelso Wheelers Cycling Club

Disability Award – sponsored by Powertec: David Melrose (Curling)

Service to Sport – Sponsored by Camerons Architects: Billy Brunton

Event of the Year – Sponsored by Jim Clark Motorsport Museum: British Motocross Championship Round 6 (Duns)

Inspiration Award – Sponsored by Origin Fitness: Doddie Weir and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation