Sporting heros 'stunned and humbled' by award

Columnist and Senior Features Writer

Saturday 24 December 2011

SCOTTISH athletics coaches Janice Eaglesham and Ian Mirfin were still coming back down to earth yesterday after winning the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award for 2011.

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SUSAN SWARBRICK

The Cambuslang couple, who toasted their accolade at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards with two Coca-Colas and a glass of wine, have helped more than 150 athletes achieve their potential at the Red Star Athletics Club at Crownpoint in Dennistoun, Glasgow, since it opened in 1990.

The club began with just one athlete, Sam Howie, who has a visual impairment, but soon grew to incorporate members from across the city and rest of Scotland.The couple were presented with their award by footballer Michael Owen and comedian Miranda Hart at a ceremony televised live from the BBC Studios in Salford on Thursday.Now in its ninth year, the BBC Sports Unsung Hero award recognises and rewards outstanding contribution by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport, who give up their time on a voluntary basis so sport can be played and enjoyed by people throughout the UK.Ms Eaglesham, 53, who recently retired as a sports development officer with Glasgow City Council, told The Herald: "It hasn't really sunk in yet. It was a bit of a shock and we are quite stunned, not least when you see the calibre of the 14 regional winners, the stories were all so strong."It was quite humbling our story was chosen. It's great for the club and Scotland too."She added: "We're getting disabled sport into the sports pages which is where it belongs. It's about moving things on and I think the athletes are now starting to be recognised for the sports people they are – and not just the human interest story."We're talking about elite athletes here, regardless of whether or not they have a disability."Asked about the club's standout stars over the years, Ms Eaglesham said: "There are too many to mention. Every athlete we have worked with has been incredible. "We've had athletes who have won Paralympic medals, but equally we've had athletes in the club who have done things they never imagined they ever would. "They may not be competing at performance level, but sport has encouraged them to go out and do other great things in their lives."The modest couple were keen to stress the award was not about them, but a tribute to all of the volunteers working in disability sport within Scotland.Mr Mirfin, 52, a staff development officer with South Lanarkshire Council, said: "The lovely thing for us was we were nominated by the athletes themselves."It's far bigger than just about us, though – we're simply the folk who have been lucky enough to receive the award."There are many other people out there who are doing just as much, if not more, for disability sport in Scotland."He revealed the couple had celebrated in style. "Janice had two glasses of Coca-Cola and I had a glass of wine," he joked.Golfer Darren Clarke, who was runner-up to cyclist Mark Cavendish in BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011, was among those to offer his congratulations. "I had a chat with Darren," said Mr Mirfin. "Janice and I spoke with Olympic gold medallist sailor, Shirley Robertson, and she was lovely."Presenter Sue Barker and 11-times Paralympic gold medal-list Tanni Grey-Thompson came over to say hello, as did former Sunderland and Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy. "Looking back it all seems a bit unreal," said Mr Mirfin. "I think it may take a few days or weeks to sink in properly."Now, though, it's back to reality with a bump and on with the Christmas shopping."

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Sporting heros 'stunned and humbled' by award

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