THE great and the good of local sport were recognised at the weekend during the annual ClubSport Ettrick and Lauderdale awards ceremony last weekend.

Selkirk’s Sarah Robertson was awarded the 2019 Sports Personality of the Year Award in recognition of her 140 Scottish and Great Britain international hockey caps.

Her award was collected by her former coach Janet Jack, as Sarah was playing for Great Britain against Chile over the weekend in two Olympic qualifying matches.

Linda Seggie was recognised as the Coach of the Year for her contributions to Boccia and working with people with disabilities.

Linda has volunteered with Live Borders Sports Development team for two years whilst completing an HND in Sport and Exercise: Coaching and Development course at Borders College.

After winning the Ettrick and Lauderdale Clubsport Club of the Year Award in 2017, Gala Cricket Club claimed the Team of the Year award for 2019.

Gala bounced back from the previous season's relegation in 2019, winning eight of their 11 matches and clinching the league title on the last day of the season.

The club followed it up a week later by winning their first Border 2020 Cup for four years, beating Selkirk in a closely contested final.

For their work in bolstering their junior numbers, Selkirk Golf Club was recognised as the Club of the Year.

With an ageing membership the club decided to focus on implementing a junior section, as their membership at the time had no juniors.

New junior sessions were an instant hit with between 35 and 40 primary school pupils picking up a club during the weekly sessions.

Selkirk now has a junior membership of 27.

For 45 Years of service to tennis, Christine Lawrie was awarded with the Scottish Association Local Sports Councils Service (SALSC) Service to Sport Award.

Christine’s achievements included various roles at club, district, county and national levels which was also recognised in 2011 when she received tennis’s national governing body, Tennis Scotland’s ‘Award in Recognition of Voluntary Services to Tennis in Scotland.

Included on Christine’s impressive CV are her presidential roles with Tennis Scotland, South of Scotland County, Tennis Borders District and St Boswells LTA, where she has served on many various committees including coaching, training, selection and marketing.

For some 20 years, she was instrumental in fundraising at St Boswells for three new all-weather courts which former Wimbledon singles champion Maria Bueno officially opened in 1995.

The 2019 Disability Award went to Daniel Porter who received his first para-bowls Scottish cap back in September at the Home Nations International Series in Cardiff.

He recorded three out of four wins and Scotland finished second overall, just four points behind England.

Daniel was the 2018 Club President at Gala Bowling Club and remains as a committee members and player.

Blake Hedley was awarded as the Junior Sports Personality of the Year.

Blake competes in the sport of modern pentathlon made up of five sports, running, shooting, swimming, fencing and horse riding.

2018/19 has been a huge year with Blake being selected to compete for Great Britain.

Following on from winning team gold at the European Championships in 2018, Blake won individual silver and a mixed relay bronze at the World Championships were then held in Hurghada, Egypt.

Coach of the Year (sponsored by Gall Robertson) - Linda Seggie

Team of the Year (sponsored by Rick Kenney) - Gala Cricket Club 1st XI

Club of the Year (sponsored by Fjordhus Ltd) - Selkirk Golf Club

SALSC Service to Sport – Christine Lawrie

Disability Award (sponsored by Rowan Boland Memorial Trust) – Daniel Porter

Junior Sports Personality of the Year (sponsored by The Trophy Guy) – Blake Hedley

Sports Personality of the Year (sponsored by Sykes) – Sarah Robertson