 Commonwealth Games hero Eilish McColgan was the recipient of this year’s International Sports Person Award at the legendary Dundee Sports Dinner charity event.
Middle and long-distance runner Eilish, 31, from Dundee, has had a remarkable year, setting a new British record over 5km on the roads and beating Paula Radcliffe's 21-year-old British half marathon record. She took the longstanding European and UK 10km record at the Great Manchester Run and won a Commonwealth gold medal – 36 years after her mum Liz – as well as a silver in Birmingham. Eilish continued her outstanding season securing two additional medals at the European Championships in Munich, with a silver in the 10,000 metres and bronze for the 5000. She is now the first British distance runner to compete in six championship outdoor finals in the same season. Last night the athletics superstar’s dad, Peter McColgan, accepted her award on her behalf. One of the city’s most successful and well-established charity events, last night’s Dundee Sports Dinner, which is sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors, Brewin Dolphin, DWK and FreshJet marked its full physical return following pandemic restrictions. It was also the 30th anniversary of its establishment. The keynote speaker was Celtic, Arsenal and Scotland international footballer Charlie Nicholas, with Scot Squad actor and ‘Third Murray Brother’ Chris Forbes also on the bill. The main aim of the dinner is to raise much needed funds for local sports clubs and groups to help provide kit, equipment, training facilities and transport. Since the dinner launched in 1992 it has raised more than £400,000 for clubs and individuals. Other big winners last night included 14-year-old ice hockey goalkeeper Evelyn Brown, who received the Junior Award. Evelyn has had an outstanding career since returning to the ice after the pandemic, being selected to represent Scotland at under 15 age level and becoming the youngest girl to compete for the Great Britain ladies under 16 squad. The teenager is also the goalie for Dundee Stars Juniors under 14 team, currently the most successful in its age group in Scotland and received the Headmasters award for S2 pupils at Baldragon Academy. The coveted Lifetime Achievement Award went to hockey coach Charlotte Jones, who has been a member of Grove Menzieshill Hockey club since it formed in 2010 when Grove Ladies HC and Menzieshill HC merged to establish one of the biggest and successful clubs in the country. A former goalkeeper who competed to international level, Charlotte has given almost 40 years of her life to supporting and developing her club, the sport, and hockey players, both male and female. Sandy McDonald, Organising Committee Chair, said: “We are incredibly proud of our three key award winners, who have each shown an overwhelming passion and commitment to their individual sports. Eilish has had a fantastic season, but she is also a wonderful role model to budding track stars and more. She is a shining example of what can be accomplished through sheer determination and grit, as well as her natural talent. “Teenager Evelyn Brown has a very promising career ahead of her, and I have no doubt we will be hearing about her achievements for many years to come. “Charlotte Jones is another highly deserving winner. Described by her club as ‘one of a kind’, she has given her life to playing, supporting and coaching hockey, inspiring those around her with her strong spirit and work ethic.”
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The annual Dundee Sports Dinner – due to take place in September 2020 – has been cancelled and funds set aside for the organisation of the 2020 event have now been donated to the local NHS Trust.
Dundee Sports Dinner 2021 will take place on Wednesday 22 September 2021 at Invercarse Hotel, Dundee. Sandy McDonald, chair of the dinner’s organising committee, said: “The Dundee Sports Dinners help raise much-needed funds for local sporting clubs and groups each year. However, the uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic means we have had to cancel this year’s event. This is a big disappointment for all concerned, but we know we’ll be back better than ever for 2021.” The event – sponsored by Thorntons Solicitors, Brewin Dolphin, DWK Office Solutions and Fresh Jet Catering Ltd – aims to acknowledge and reward local sports personalities, as well as raise funds for sports clubs in the city. All those who had purchased tickets for the 2020 event will be contacted directly. For further details and to purchase tickets for 2021 please click here.
 Amateur sports clubs and individuals from Dundee and the surrounding areas are being urged to apply for a share of the £23,000 pot raised from the Dundee Sports Dinner 2019.
Each year the Dundee Sports Dinner aims to honour some of the greatest achievements of local sportspeople while raising money for sporting clubs and groups. Now organisers and sponsors have issued a callout for Tayside groups, particularly those with a junior division, to submit their application for funding before the deadline of Sunday 17 November. The funds can be used for specific projects or to support general running costs of the organisation. Those who are successful following the division of funds by the Dinner Committee will be invited to a cheque presentation at Dundee Airport in the New Year on Saturday 25 January. Sporting legends Gordon Strachan OBE and George ‘Doddie’ Weir OBE, were speakers at Dundee Sports Dinner 2019 in September. The event was sponsored by Thorntons, Brewin Dolphin, Freshjet and DWK Office Solutions. Click here to fill out your club or team's funding application! |
