Sunday 16th September saw the annual SDS Branch Conference and AGM take place where 3 Lothian athletes/coaches received awards in recognition of their great achievements this year.
Great Britain sprinter Maria Lyle took home the Finlay Calder trophy for athlete of the year. The East Lothian athlete competed at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia and won a silver medal in the T35 100m. Maria then followed this up by winning gold in the same event at the European Championships - her third successive European title!
Scot Quin was the winner of the Brian Dolan Memorial Trophy awarded to the swimmer of the year. The Warrender BC swimmer has had a great year which began with winning silver in his preferred 100m Breaststroke at the British Para-Swimming International Meet 2018, Scott secured his seat on the plane for the World Para Swimming International Meet 2018 and followed it up by successfully defending his title as he came from behind in the final 10m to secure gold in a thrilling S14 100m final at the European Championships in Dublin.
Jacky Yirrell was recognised as the development coach of the year as she picked up the Russell Hogg trophy. Jacky is the head coach for Lothian Racers, the club where Scott Quin started his career, and this year has continued to develop swimmers who are now on the national pathway. Jacky oversaw a huge development in Racers where a pathway was created to help swimmers who were no longer competing to access new opportunities whilst allowing new swimmers to join the club. On top of this, Jacky was also the aquatics head coach for the Lothian Special Olympics team who competed at the national games in Sheffield last August.
LDS are extremely proud of each of the award winners, well done to all!
