National press features new sports body thanks to cobaltink
What better way to mark the end of the year than with a traditional round-up to look back at some of the most inspiring achievements of the year just past?
None better, that’s what we thought when we came up with the idea of producing the Scottish Women in Sport’s Unforgettable Sportswomen of 2014 top ten.
And we weren’t alone in believing that women’s sport needs the kind of leg up that will see it stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men’s sport. Scotland’s national quality title, The Herald, agreed, carrying our top ten in their New Year edition.
Scottish Women in Sport exists to promote the interests of women’s sport and together with cobaltink we achieved what SWiS founder Maureen McGonigle described as a ‘first for women in sport’ with major national newspaper coverage.
She said: “The coverage was brilliant. Middle page spread in the sports pages of The Herald – that must be a first for women in sport! Thanks again. What a great idea.”
But who did the SWiS team choose for their top ten? Read on and relive some incredible sporting moments from 2014.
Scottish Women in Sport’s Unforgettable Sportswomen of 2014
Scottish Women in Sport founder Maureen McGonigle chooses the top ten sporting highlights that made 2014 a truly golden year for women’s sport. Maureen explained her choices during a year of unforgettable sporting achievements.
She said: “From golf to athletics, the winter Olympics in Sochi and the world of motorsport, 2014 has been an incredible year for women in sport. It feels like we are entering an important new phase for women in the sporting arena. It is a very exciting time.
“The SWiS top ten represents just a fraction of the amazing achievements from the year just past. We can’t mention everyone so these are simply some of our highlights and really this isn’t a top ten as everyone has excelled in their chosen field. We are so proud of everyone on our list and so many more that aren’t.”
1. EILIDH CHILD – athletics, pictured left
Perth-born Eilidh, 27, was crowned the first SWiS Sportswomen of the Year earlier this year. As captain of the Scottish athletics team at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Eilidh led the team to a four-medal tally while taking the silver in the 400m hurdles. Eilidh also represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games and holds the Scottish record for her discipline with a time of 54.22.
SWiS verdict: “Eilidh is an amazing ambassador for Scottish sport and women in sport. Her track success and selection as captain for Glasgow 2014 sum up the commitment and the respect with which she is held in her chosen sphere.”
2. LIBBY CLEGG – athletics
Paralympian Libby won Scotland’s first Commonwealth gold medal in athletics at Glasgow 2014 and did so with a world-leading time for the year in the T11/T12 100m in 12.20 seconds. Libby, 24, suffers from a deteriorating eye condition meaning she has slight vision in her left eye and is registered as blind. Libby races with a guide by her side.
SWiS verdict: “Libby is a world-beater. She excels every time she competes and does so with great grace. To bring home the first athletics gold for Scotland of the Commonwealth Games was a dream to watch. She’s quite simply inspirational.”
3. LYNSEY SHARP – athletics
The 800-metre runner beat all the odds in 2014 to take her place on the starting line at Glasgow 2014 and win silver for Scotland. Lindsey, 24 from Edinburgh, feared she would lose her foot after suffering a serious infection following surgery on her leg. Even on the day of the race she suffered a severe vomiting bug which threatened her place hours before the final.
SWiS verdict: “Linsey’s motto ‘get out strong, commit’ sums up this courageous woman’s fight to take part in the sport that she loves and never give up. And she brought home a medal. We salute Linsey’s fighting spirit.”
4. SHELLEY KERR – football
As the first woman appointed to a Scottish Football Association member men’s team as a football coach, Shelley, 45 from Broxburn, has broken the grass ceiling. As a player she captained Scotland’s women’s national team winning 59 caps. She also played with Kilmarnock and Hibs while winning every domestic honour and playing in the UEFA Women’s Cup. On Tuesday August 19 she made history when she was appointed manager of Stirling University FC, the first woman to be named manager of a men’s side at this level in the UK.
SWiS verdict: “What can we say that hasn’t already been said about Shelley? Inspirational, hard-working and ground-breaking throughout a wonderful career in women’s – and now men’s – football.”
5. EVE MUIRHEAD – curling, pictured left
As the youngest curling skip in Olympic history to win a medal, Eve, now 24, lead her team to a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi at the start of the year. The Scots beat Switzerland in a nail-biting fight in the bronze medal play-off as once again curling became one of the nation’s favourite sports. The 2013 World Champion still curls at the Dunkeld Curling Club in Pitlochry near to her home in Blair Atholl, Perthshire. SWiS verdict: “The list of achievements for Eve in curling are numerous but during 2014 she entered the history books for curling as the youngest skip to medal at the Olympics and that’s a formidable feat on the global stage.”
6. CHARLINE JOINER – cycling
When Charline picked up her Commonwealth gold medal in cycling in Glasgow it came after an incredible recovery following an horrific accident in January where she fractured her spine during training. The Pearl Izumi Sports International rider was hospitalised in Spain for eight days after an accident almost wrecked her chances of riding during the season.
SWiS verdict: “Charline’s determination to come back after her injuries is what sets champions aside from the rest of us. Her hard work in recovery paid dividends at the Commonwealth Games and it was wonderful to watch her take to the podium.”
7. KIMBERLEY AND LOUISE RENICKS – judo
One Renick without the other just would not have been fair, so both of Scotland’s golden judo sisters from Lanarkshire are on our unforgettable list for 2014. Kimberley, 26, secured the first gold medal in judo in the 48kg class at Glasgow 2014 then as she was being drug tested watched sister Louise, 32, make it a Renick double with her win in the 52kg class.
SWiS verdict: “For one sister to win gold at Glasgow 2014 would have been reward enough for Scotland’s judo community, but for two to win was simply out of this world. They are both fabulous champions and have our admiration.”
8. ERRAID DAVIES – swimming
After developing a rare hip condition which meant she couldn’t participate in most sports, Erraid started swimming at just three. After her success at Glasgow 2014 the thirteen-year-old’s determination has made her a national hero. Erraird, from Shetland, became the youngest competitor from any country to win a Commonwealth Games medal when she took bronze in the SB9 100m breaststroke.
SWiS verdict: “Eraird’s smile almost eclipsed her incredible achievement at Glasgow 2014, but not quite. She stole the nation’s hearts and ours too and deserves her place in Commonwealth Games history.”
9. SUZIE WOLFF – motorsport, pictured left
Oban-born British racing driver Suzie, 32, became the first woman to take part in a Formula One race weekend in 22 years at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. She became development driver for Williams Formula One team in 2012 with that role to be expanded in the 2015 season to an enhanced position as test driver. She will drive in two runs in Friday practice and two tests next season. SWiS verdict: “Suzie excels in an area where few women dare to tread. Her expanded role within the elite of the sport for 2015 underlines her commitment and skill to a sport drenched in petrol fumes and awash with glamour.”
10. KYLIE WALKER – golf
2014 has been Glasgow-born Kylie’s year. She won her first professional tournament in Australia in January while in May gained her first victory on the Ladies European Tour at the Dutch Ladies Open in Amsterdam. In July 2014, the 28-year-old won her second LET title, the Ladies German Open having equaled the LET low score record for 36 holes and broken the 54 hole record during the tournament.
SWiS verdict: “2014 has been the year where Kylie has found fantastic form and really started to make her mark on the Ladies European Tour and beyond. With the Ryder Cup in Scotland this year it was a joy to see Kylie excel in ladies golf.”
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