An Aberdeen coach, who works tirelessly to help young people thrive in basketball, has had her dedication recognised after being named Sportscotland’s Young Persons’ Coach of the Year.
Mhairi Guthrie picked up her award at the Sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards at Glasgow City Chambers.
At the event, inspirational coaches, officials and volunteers from all over Scotland were celebrated across 15 categories for their significant contribution to a variety of sports.
Beyond her work as a secondary school teacher, Ms Guthrie has made a significant impact while coaching the Bridge of Don Academy basketball team and as head coach at local club Grampian Flyers.
She is always looking for ways to tailor her approach to give as many young people as possible the chance to enjoy basketball and improve their own game. Adapted sessions can include balloon basketball and walking basketball.
She has been praised for how she has gone above and beyond for the young people she has worked with and helped other coaches on their journey in sport, and has taken basketball forward in Aberdeen and Grampian.
Ms Guthrie said: “For the young people, it’s about having fun and we are trying to encourage growth, refine motor skills and keep them active.
“For the older ones, it becomes more about technique and making sure they achieve everything they can on the basketball court.”
“It has to be their journey and their decisions, we try to make sure they have a voice in everything we’re doing. The best bit is when kids I have coached years ago tell me that they’re still playing and it’s still a part of their lives.”
At the ceremony, hosted by BBC Scotland’s Bryan Burnett, award winners from up and down the country and across the sporting system were honoured from sports such as swimming, cycling, athletics, football, karate, wheelchair curling and canoeing.
Stewart Harris, Sportscotland’s chief executive, said: “Every year across Scotland, thousands of dedicated sporting enthusiasts devote their time, knowledge and skills to afford others the chance to take part in sport, and experience all the benefits that come with sport participation.
“We are implementing a world-class sporting system at every level and that is only possible with the support of the many dedicated coaches, officials and volunteers.”
