Ayrshire’s only powerchair football team, the South Ayrshire Tigers, have held their first ever awards dinner for players and supporters and invited MSP Brian Whittle as the guest of honour. During the event, former Olympian Brian handed out awards recognising the effort players have put in throghout the year.
The Tigers train at Whitletts Activity Centre in Ayr but the club has powerchair users from across Ayrshire who come to training and play in the team. Since it was formed in 2015, the Club has attracted a steady stream of powerchair users who want to take up playing.
Powerchair football is growing in popularity across Scotland with teams from across the country playing in Premiership and Championship leagues and a national squad who compete against the other nations of the UK. Players can compete either by having special bumpers attached to their wheelchairs or, in more serious competition, using specially modified chairs that are faster and more responsive.
Brian, who paid a visit to the Tigers early in his time as an MSP and has been a regular supporter ever since, congratulated the players, as well as the qualified coaches and other volunteers for all their efforts and presented the awards to winners decided by the coaches and their fellow players.
The winners were
- Player of the Year – James Doull
- Players Player of the Year Premiership – James Doull
- Runner Up – Colby Fleming
- Championship Player of the Year – Cameron Torrance
- Runner Up – Fiona Ferguson
- Most Improved Player – Pauline Paterson
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“It was a real honour to be invited by the Tigers to present these awards. Having seen how the team has expanded in the few years that I’ve known them, it’s great to see how players have developed and that new people continue to join.
Powerchair football is changing people’s lives and I’m proud to help support that. Later this year, I’m sponsoring a stand in Holyrood to introduce more MSPs to the sport and I’ll keep working to raise the profile of the game however I can.
Well done to all the award winners and to the players, coaches and volunteers who make the Tigers, the success that it is!”
Comment from South Ayrshire Tigers PFC:
“South Ayrshire Tigers would like to thank Brian for presenting the prizes at our inaugural Awards Night We really appreciate Brian’s commitment to our club and to the sport of powerchair football over the past few years. The Club looks forward to Brian’s continued support in the future.”
