SW/S AWARDS 2026 | Category Finalists

The most glamorous night of the Scottish sporting calendar is coming around again as we celebrate the 13th Scottish Women in Sport Awards at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Argyle St, Glasgow on Friday 20th November.

We look to recognise and celebrate, not only the success of our elite athletes and Para athletes, but those working as volunteers, clubs in the community, pioneers, and so many other roles that impact on women in sport.

Please follow our social channels on the night to hear first hand who our winners are.

Cameron Commercials Pioneer in Sport

Shazia Malik | Multi sports

Shazia Malik has spent over twenty years transforming who feels welcome, able and empowered to participate and lead in community sport in Scotland. Through Glasgow ANSAR, she created trusted, culturally responsive spaces where women and girls long excluded from traditional sport could build confidence and progress into volunteering, coaching and leadership. Long before inclusion became a sector priority, Shazia used sport to tackle isolation, improve wellbeing and open doors to opportunity. Her impact is now generational, with former participants returning as leaders and families seeing sport as a place they belong. Shazia is a trailblazer who fundamentally changed the landscape for women and girls.

Elinor Middlemiss MBE | Badminton

Elinor Middlemiss MBE has recently retired after 40 years in Scottish sport, having represented Scotland at five Commonwealth Games as a medal‑winning badminton athlete. Those experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to excellence, athlete welfare and the pride of competing for Scotland. Transitioning into leadership, she became a central figure within Commonwealth Games Scotland and made history as the first woman Chef de Mission, leading Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2026—two of the nation’s most successful Games. Known for her calm authority and people‑first approach, Elinor has been pivotal in delivering outstanding Team Scotland campaigns across multiple cycles.

Lucy Faulkner | Netball 

Lucy Faulkner has spent over 35 years leading, shaping and inspiring others in sport, combining teaching, leadership, EDI expertise and learning and development. A former PE teacher turned England Netball pioneer, she helped build early development structures that underpin the sport today. Her career includes nine years at The FA as Equality Manager and Child Protection Co‑ordinator, alongside extensive consultancy supporting women’s leadership through FAB and WSLA. A committed volunteer, she has coached, umpired and managed national squads, and now serves her second term as Chair of Netball Scotland. She also established Netball Scotland’s Heritage and Archive. Lucy is a trailblazer for women’s leadership in sport.

Volunteer of the Year

UWS Community Champion of the Year

St Cuthbert Junior & Ladies Community Team | Archery

St Cuthbert Junior & Ladies Community Team has transformed Prestwick St Cuthbert Archery Club into a genuinely welcoming, inclusive space where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can discover sport. Through regular Come and Try sessions, LGBTQI+ events and opportunities for neurodivergent participants, they remove barriers and ensure everyone feels supported. Their commitment to developing female coaches has created new pathways and visible role models for girls. More than delivering sessions, they build confidence, connection and belonging. The team embodies true community leadership, using archery to bring people together and create positive, inclusive opportunities for their local community.

Alana Wright | Gymnastics

Alana Wright is the driving force behind Inspire Gymnastics Club, transforming a small church‑hall class into a thriving community hub that serves hundreds of local families. Her vision combines grassroots inclusion with performance excellence, giving every young person a safe, welcoming space to grow while supporting athletes to reach regional and national level. Leading an all‑female workforce, Alana recruits and mentors local women with no sporting background, guiding them into confident, qualified coaches. She builds pathways, not just programmes—creating opportunity, belonging and ambition. Inspire is more than a club; it is a family shaped by Alana’s leadership, belief and commitment to her community.

Linzi Dye | Golf 

Linzi Dye is an exceptional golf coach whose commitment spans West Kilbride Golf Club, Beith, Auchenharvie, KA Leisure and even the Isle of Skye as a Roving Pro. She delivers one‑to‑one, junior and women’s coaching, always centred on the individual and their enjoyment of the game. Her work includes Golf Tots, free primary‑school sessions reaching over 1,500 children, and introducing more than 50 Muslim women to golf through love.golf and the MGA. Trained in menopause support, she creates safe, empowering spaces for women. Her pathways have brought over 80 women into membership and transformed junior participation. Linzi is a truly outstanding champion for the women’s and juniors’ game.

SW/S Inspiration

Cerys Hawes | Karate

Cerys Hawes is a WUKF World and European Karate champion who has transformed personal adversity into inspiration for others. Growing up with undiagnosed autism, she struggled with confidence and communication, yet karate gave her belonging and purpose. After a first‑round loss at the 2023 World Championships, she rebounded to win the European title and has since dominated internationally, claiming multiple World and European crowns and titles across four continents. Her achievements have earned major civic recognition in Dundee. As a coach, she supports disabled and neurodiverse athletes and empowers girls through UsGirlsMove, making her an exceptional role model on and off the mat.

Sarah Adlington | Judo

For more than two decades, Sarah Adlington has been a transformative force in Scottish sport. A double Commonwealth Games champion and Olympian, she pairs exceptional achievement with an unwavering commitment to supporting women and girls. Through her coaching and mentorship at Edinburgh Judo, she has guided countless athletes to grow in confidence, resilience and ambition. Her work in schools, community programmes and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust extends her impact far beyond performance sport. As a mentor in SW/S’s Young Women in Sports Leadership programme, she actively shapes future leaders. Respected across Scottish sport, Sarah is a truly deserving Inspiration in Sport Award recipient.

Melanie Woods | Para athletics

Melanie Woods delivered an extraordinary 2025/26 season, winning her first major championship medals with double bronze in the T54 800m and 1500m at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. She then produced one of Glasgow 2026’s defining moments, winning gold in both the T54 1500m and 400m. After her initial 1500m win was voided, she showed remarkable composure, returning 40 hours later to win again in an even faster Games‑record time. Her performances earned her the David Dixon Award as the outstanding athlete of the Games. Melanie has since added victory at the Great North Run and now prepares for her first marathon in Berlin.

Ishga Contribution to Para sport

Dr Angela Turner | Artistic Gymnastics

Dr Angela Turner is a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusion in artistic gymnastics. She has campaigned tirelessly for Para Gymnastics to become an internationally recognised discipline and is driving efforts for its inclusion in the 2032 Paralympics, developing both a Para Code and Classification model. As head disability coach at City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club, Angela also chairs the British Gymnastics Disability Panel and serves on the World Gymnastics Working Group. Her leadership enabled Scotland’s first Para Gymnastics Team to compete nationally and internationally, including eight athletes at the 2026 British Championships. Creative, kind and athlete‑centred, Angela transforms pathways and lives.

Sandra Macrae | Pickleball 

Sandra Macrae has driven the growth of pickleball in Scotland by embedding inclusion from the outset, ensuring clubs and sessions naturally offer accessible opportunities. She has created dedicated come‑and‑try activities for disabled participants and ethnically diverse communities, integrated wheelchair competitions into national events, partnered with the Qeltic Games to welcome LGBTQI+ players, and promoted midlife participation through the Act Now, Age Better campaign. Using an intersectional approach, she consults with people with lived experience to design meaningful activity and supports clubs to embed inclusive practice socially and competitively. Her inclusion workshop has high uptake, co‑creating policies and opportunities with disabled people.

Hope Gordon | Multi sport 

Hope Gordon is a trailblazer in female Para sport, redefining what is possible across multiple disciplines. She became Great Britain’s first female Para Nordic skier at the 2022 Winter Paralympics and is a four‑time para Canoe World champion. In 2026, just nine months after taking up Para Powerlifting, she was selected by Scotland for the Commonwealth Games, finishing ninth in the Women’s Heavyweight event only ten days after winning two World Cup golds in Para canoe. In the same season, she also secured her first KL3 European titles. Hope’s achievements across three international sports make her a remarkable and inspiring athlete.

Think ALT Most Valuable Partnership

Scottish Power | Scottish Women’s Football

ScottishPower has become a driving force for women’s and girls’ football in Scotland, renewing its landmark partnership with SWF and the SWPL for a further three years. The Edinburgh Castle takeover showcased this ambition, but the partnership’s real value lies in meaningful, long‑term investment. ScottishPower has expanded opportunities across the pathway through kit giveaways, grassroots engagement, career inspiration and inclusive national activations. Their support reaches beyond the SWPL, strengthening SWF adult competitions, including the Highlands and Islands league. With shared values, genuine advocacy and sustained commitment, ScottishPower’s partnership sets a benchmark for transformative impact in women’s sport.

jogscotland and Dr Juliet McGrattan’s partnership

This is a powerful example of shared expertise improving women’s wellbeing in sport. Through Menopause Friendly Groups campaign, Juliet has provided medical insight, practical guidance and supportive resources that help women feel confident staying active during menopause. Her expertise, combined with jogscotland’s inclusive community network, has challenged misconceptions, built understanding and created welcoming environments for women at every stage. This collaboration strengthens the award‑winning menopause work and ensures knowledge is translated into meaningful support. Rooted in trust and shared values, it shows how specialist insight and community reach can help women thrive in sport.

Elior UK | Scotland’s Women’s Rugby

This is one of the most important commercial developments in Scottish women’s sport. Evolving from their long‑standing hospitality role at Murrayfield, Elior became an Official Partner in 2026 through a landmark back‑of‑shorts kit deal, debuting at Scotland’s record‑breaking Six Nations match against England. Their multi‑season commitment reflects the rapid growth of the women’s game and strengthens visibility, professionalism and matchday experience. More than a sponsorship, this partnership represents a strategic alignment that supports a rising national team and signals confidence in the future of women’s rugby in Scotland.

Go Radio Coach of the Year

Will Brown | Powerlifting

Team Scotland Head Coach for Scottish Powerlifting has transformed Scotland’s performance pathway since January 2024. His programme has driven exceptional results, including back‑to‑back Home Nations titles and the Scottish Junior Women being crowned Best Overall Team at the 2024 Commonwealth Championships. Female participation has grown significantly, with more than 40 women aged 15–78 competing in 2026 and increasing representation at GB level. Will also established Scotland’s flagship coaching development programme, achieving 50:50 gender representation and progressing female coaches into GB pathways. His leadership is reshaping opportunities for women and girls across Scottish powerlifting.

Claire Shiach | Judo

Claire is an exceptional coach whose influence reaches far beyond technical judo. At ProJudo, she has built an environment where athletes of all ages grow as confident, resilient individuals. A Commonwealth silver and bronze medallist, she brings elite experience and a deep commitment to each athlete’s personal journey. Her detailed coaching and aligned Strength & Conditioning programme challenge athletes while promoting discipline, wellbeing and the values of the judo moral code. Claire’s impact is evident in athletes progressing to National Squads and international representation, but she values personal growth just as highly. Through camps, competitions and compassionate leadership, she creates opportunities that shape young people for life.

Kath Tetley | Netball

Kath has transformed the Scottish Thistles, leading the squad to its most competitive era. Under her guidance, Scotland achieved a historic eighth‑place finish at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, defeated higher‑ranked Wales, and pushed world number two Jamaica to a two‑goal match while restricting them to their lowest tournament score. Scotland also recorded its best‑ever results against New Zealand and secured landmark performances at the Celtic Cup. Kath’s athlete‑centred leadership has reshaped the pathway, strengthened belief, and created a connected, thriving environment. Her impact on performance and culture makes her an outstanding candidate for Go Radio Coach of the Year.

Team Scotland Team of the Year

Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay | Swimming

The Team Scotland Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay produced one of the standout moments of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning silver in Glasgow and securing Scotland’s first women’s relay medal in the pool since 1982. Katie Shanahan, Angharad Evans, Keanna MacInnes and Evie Davis delivered a superb final, swimming with composure and determination to set a new Scottish Record of 3:57.02. Their success was built on genuine team depth, with Holly McGill, Anna Morgan, Ciara Schlosshan and Emma Wood playing a crucial role in the heats. This historic, collective achievement makes them thoroughly deserving Team of the Year.

Women’s Team Sprint | Cycling

Team Scotland’s Women’s Team Sprint delivered a landmark result at Glasgow 2026, winning Scotland’s first team sprint medal in 16 years. Maddy Silcock, Iona Moir and Lauren Bell produced a superb bronze‑medal ride, defeating Australia convincingly and setting a new Scottish record of 47.451. Silcock, a full‑time NHS physiotherapist, launched the trio strongly before Moir and Bell—both competing at their second Games—powered home with composure and precision. With Silcock and Bell both late converts from athletics, the squad embodied resilience, ambition and the true spirit of women’s sport, creating one of Scotland’s most inspiring moments of the Games.  An inspirational trio who showed the true beauty of female sport at the Games.

Women’s 3×3 | Wheelchair Basketball

Scotland’s Women’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball squad made history at Glasgow 2026, winning the nation’s first ever parasport team medal and first team‑sport silver at a Commonwealth Games. Led by 2‑time Paralympian Robyn Love, alongside GB internationals Kayli English and Jodie Waite, and 17‑year‑old standout Lea Smith, the team delivered a superb campaign. Unbeaten in the group stage, they defeated Australia in the semi‑final before pushing England in a hard‑fought final to secure silver. With Smith averaging 7.8 points and Love 6.2, their cohesion, communication and trust—anchored by Robyn’s mentorship—produced one of Scotland’s most inspiring performances of the Games.

sportscotland Young Sportswoman of the Year 

Lea Smith | Women’s 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball

Lea Smith has had an outstanding year, excelling on court and emerging as a confident young leader. At just 17, she helped Scotland win its first ever Commonwealth Games silver medal in Wheelchair Basketball 3×3, leading the team in scoring alongside senior internationals. She also starred for Lothian Phoenix, winning Junior League gold and competing in Division One, while earning silver at the IWBF Vienna Masters with UEL. Her Scotland duties included Home Nations gold and UK School Games silver. Lea has secured a scholarship to UEL and completed her Level 2 coaching qualification, inspiring younger athletes and fully earning her MVP status.

Evi Mackie | Swimming

Evi Mackie’s achievements showcase exceptional talent, determination and maturity, marking her as one of Scotland’s most exciting young athletes. Her record‑breaking swims, international podiums and fearless performances against world‑class opposition highlight standards far beyond her years. Evi consistently rises to major occasions, demonstrating the ambition and resilience that define future champions. Her rapid progression, competitive courage and ability to deliver under pressure underline her status as a standout prospect within Scottish sport. For her outstanding performances and the promise she continues to show, Evi is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the sportscotland / Scottish Women in Sport Young Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Lucy Macnair | Water Polo and Football

At just 18, Lucy Macnair is excelling internationally in water polo while competing as a semi‑professional football goalkeeper. A Scotland senior international and U18 captain, she has delivered outstanding performances across major competitions, finishing top goal scorer at multiple national and international events and leading Caledonia to British Water Polo League Division Two. She debuted for Scotland’s senior team at 14 and is now a key scorer at EU Nations, also selected for the Great Britain Hawks. Alongside this, she plays semi‑professionally for Partick Thistle Women. A leader, role model and dual‑sport standout, Lucy is a truly deserving Young Sportswoman of the Year.

Scottish Women in Sport Sportswoman of the Year

Faye Rogers | Para Swimming

Faye Rogers has rapidly become one of Britain’s most exciting para swimmers, achieving exceptional success on the world stage. She burst into international prominence at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, winning three medals including gold in the S10 100m Butterfly. She followed this with Paralympic gold in Paris in the same event. Her dominance continued in 2025 as she repeatedly broke the S10 200m Butterfly World Record and claimed one gold and four silver medals at the World Championships in Singapore. Returning home for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Faye won SM10 200m Individual Medley gold, confirming her status as a world‑class athlete.

Melanie Woods | Para Athletics

Melanie Woods delivered one of the defining performances of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning gold in both the T54 400m and 1500m and setting a Games record in the 1500m. Her resilience shone when, after her initial 1500m win was voided due to a race incident, she returned two days later to win again in an even faster time. Her excellence and sportsmanship earned her the David Dixon Award and recognition as the outstanding athlete of the Games. Mel’s journey from a life‑changing accident in 2018 to Paralympian, World medallist and double Commonwealth champion makes her truly inspirational.

Kirsty Gilmour | Badminton

Kirsty Gilmour remains one of Scotland’s most exceptional athletes, and her achievements across 2025–26 make her a standout Sportswoman of the Year contender. In 2026 she reached a career pinnacle by winning the European Championships Women’s Singles title, delivering six consecutive victories and a commanding final performance to secure her first European gold. She continued to excel on the BWF World Tour, producing world‑class results at major events and reinforcing her status among Europe’s elite. Her YONEX Belgian International title further highlighted her consistency. A role model of integrity, resilience and ambition, Kirsty’s influence extends far beyond her outstanding results.

Angharad Evans | Swimming

Angharad Evans delivered an outstanding 2025/26 season, establishing herself as one of Scotland’s leading international swimmers and a world‑class breaststroker. She won double gold at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, adding silver and bronze in Scotland’s medley relays. Earlier in the year she set new British and Scottish records, including a world‑leading 1:04.96 in the 100m Breaststroke. At the European Championships she won 100m gold in a British Record, 200m silver, and produced the fastest female breaststroke split ever to help GBR win relay gold. Her consistency, excellence and leadership make her a standout Sportswoman of the Year nominee.