The winners of Glasgow's Sport Awards 2023 are revealed

The awards pay tribute to the outstanding commitment and contribution made by individuals, clubs and groups to inspire, encourage and enable people in Glasgow to participate in sport and physical activity.

Charity Glasgow Life presents the accolades annually in recognition of those who make a positive impact –through all types of sport and physical activities, from grassroots to professional levels – to physical and mental health and wellbeing in communities across the city.

Hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, the awards ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and achievements of all of the nominated finalists in attendance, who included volunteers, coaches, schools and sports club members.

Glasgow’s Sport Awards were presented across nine different categories for which nominations from the public had been invited. The finalists were then selected by a panel which included representatives from a range of partner organisations involved in sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow.

The winners of three additional and special awards were also announced:

Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award - Katie Archibald.  Elite racing cyclist Katie is one of the world’s leading track endurance riders and most inspirational sporting personalities. Representing Scotland and Great Britain, she has amassed an impressive wealth of medals and titles, and also been awarded an MBE for services to cycling.

Glasgow Lord Provost Award - John Campbell.  John, of Glasgow Rens Basketball Club, has been actively involved in basketball for 60 years, and has played a major role in leading the development of the sport in the city, and in coaching teams and developing young players.

Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award - Elizabeth Wilder.  Liz, of Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletics Club, has been officiating within athletics for over 50 years, with roles in both Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and Glasgow and as Combined Events Referee in the 2012 Olympics.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said:  

"Congratulations go to all of our wonderful winners of Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023. Each certainly deserves this special recognition of their phenomenal dedication and achievements which make such a positive impact to the lives of people throughout the city.

Our charity is committed to delivering culture and sport to enhance physical, mental and economic wellbeing in the city – so we are indebted to everything our awardees do to inspire, encourage and enable local people to make sport part of their lives and be able to benefit in so many ways.

The hugely valued contribution our awardees make not only makes an immense difference to health in Glasgow, it is also cements the city’s reputation as a destination internationally renowned for sport."

In addition to honouring all those who have benefitted Glasgow’s communities through sport and physical activity, Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 gala event celebrated Glasgow’s year as European Capital of Sport 2023.

The city is the first to hold the title twice, having been previously named European Capital of Sport in 2003. The designation recognises Glasgow’s global status as a city of sport sport and the host of world-class events – including the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, the first-ever European Championships in 2018 (as co-host), and UEFA EURO 2020.

Glasgow’s reign as European Capital of Sport also recognises the city’s success in creating a lasting legacy from major sporting events, by using them as a catalyst to increase participation in sport and improve the lives of local people.

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said:

"What a privilege and pleasure it was to host Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 gala ceremony, and pay tribute to all those who do so much to benefit our communities through sport and physical activity.

It was fantastic too, to have the opportunity to look back on what an incredible year this has been for sport in Glasgow. Our second reign as European Capital of Sport has seen so many great highlights, including the resounding success of the UCI Cycling World Championships. And as we prepare to welcome the World Indoor Athletics Championships in March 2024, we can look forward to another great year ahead that will once again shine the spotlight on Glasgow as a world-class destination for sport."

Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 – Winners

• Glasgow Disabled Athlete of the Year Award - in partnership with Scottish Disability Sport

        Geraldine Fitzsimmons, Glasgow Eagles (Powerlifting)

• Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Award - in partnership with Glasgow City HSCP

        Glasgow Life Walking Football

• Glasgow Volunteer of the Year Award - in partnership with Volunteer Glasgow

        Eric Sproul, Easterhouse Phoenix

• Glasgow Young Sportsperson of the Year Award - in partnership with GO Radio

         Zain Iqbal, Southside Boxing Club

•  Uniting Glasgow Award - in partnership with LEAP Sports Scotland

         Glasgow Afghan United – Women’s Empowerment Programme

•  Glasgow School Sport Award Winners - sportscotland GOLD recipients

         Avenue End Primary School

         Cardonald Primary School

         Glasgow Gaelic Primary School

         St Brigid’s Primary School

         Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School

         Shawlands Academy

Supporting Young Glaswegians Award - in partnership with Glasgow City Council

        City of Dance

Glasgow Coach of the Year Award - in partnership with sportscotland

        Jonny Mitchell, Glasgow Track Cycling Club

Glasgow Community Impact Award - in partnership with SAMH

        Active Life Club

Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award

        Katie Archibald (Cycling)

Glasgow Lord Provost Award

        John Campbell, Glasgow Rens (Basketball)

Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award

        Elizabeth Wilder (Athletics)