MARION MURDOCH was honoured with the inaugural Sportscotland Lifetime Achievement award last night at a ceremony in Glasgow City Chambers. A veil of secrecy was cast over proceedings to ensure she remained unaware the presentation would be made by her son David, double world curling champion and silver medallist in Sochi last year, at his third Winter Olympics.
In a coaching career dating back to 1972, Marion has introduced "thousands – I haven't really a clue" to her sport. These include her other children, Olympic coach Nancy and former European champion Neil, plus Olympic bronze medallist Claire Hamilton and several World Junior Championship players.
Her day job is curling development officer at Lockerbie where she has been treasurer and president of the ladies' club, and also ladies' president of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Yet she found time to travel the world to watch her children compete.
Her proudest moments, she says, were David's two World titles. For the second, his rink had to beat Kevin Martin three times. "To beat the Canadians like that on home soil was unbelievable," she said. "I never thought they could do it."
Her biggest disappointments were Neil missing out on the 2006 Olympic team, despite having won World silver in 2005. "That was hard to bear. And also Nancy losing her world semi-final." That effectively cost her an Olympic place.
Spectating is: "very stressful. Because I understand the game and the tactics, and have coached, I know what he should be doing and why."
Sometimes she disagrees, screaming "No!" to herself, if she thinks the wrong call has been made. At the Olympics, she closed her eyes on a shot which, had it failed, would have seen her her son's rink go out. "Silver medal was the icing on the cake," she said.
Inevitably, last night was emotional. Twelve days after that Sochi final, David's dad, Matt, died. It was he who had persuaded his wife to "get involved in curling".
Nine other leading coaches, officials, and volunteers were honoured. After an illustrious athletics career, winning championship medals on track, hills, road and cross-country (including four World Championship appearances for Scotland 14 years apart), Dr Penny Rother continued to win elite triathlon honours. But it was as Community coach of the Year, in triathlon, that she was recognised last night. Other awards: Luis Romero (basketball) performance development coach; Amanda Saville (equestrian) disability coach; Iain Somerside (rowing) performance coach; Rachael Walker (gymnastics) young coach; Gary Coupland (rugby) young person's coach. Technical official: Alan Stanfield (curling). Volunteer: James Longmuir (judo). Young Volunteer: Fraser Johnston (young hub leader).
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