The winners of the prestigious accolades will be revealed later this month at a gala ceremony hosted by the Lord Provost of Glasgow.

Charity Glasgow Life – which delivers culture and sport to enhance physical and mental health and wellbeing across the city – presents the awards annually to recognise the outstanding dedication and achievements of individuals, organisations and projects that promote sport, and encourage local people to be more physically active.

Nominations from the public were invited in September for the nine awards categories, which span all types of sport and physical activity from grassroots to professional levels.  

The call-out for suggestions of those deserving recognition received a very positive response from the public – presenting a considerable challenge to the judging panel.  The panel included representatives of a range of partner organisations involved in sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow, including Glasgow City Council Education Services and sportscotland.

The shortlisted nominees, which are listed below, will hear the winners announced when they attend the Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 gala event on 27 November at the Emirates Arena’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.The event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the commitment, contribution and successes of all of this year’s finalists – who include local groups, sports clubs, schools, volunteers, coaches and athletes.

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

Our Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 finalists really demonstrate the fantastic breadth of talent we have across the city, and how many remarkable individuals, groups, clubs and associations there are locally that are doing so much to benefit our communities through sport and physical activity.

The awards finalists’ hugely valued contribution not only makes a tremendous positive impact to health and wellbeing in the city, it also greatly enhances Glasgow’s great reputation as a destination renowned for sport.

In addition to honouring all those who have benefitted Glasgow’s communities throughout the year through sport and physical activity, Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 gala event will celebrate 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 status as a city globally renowned for sport and the host of world-class events – including the UCI Cycling World Championships held in Glasgow this summer as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, the first-ever European Championships in 2018 (as co-host), and UEFA EURO 2020.

As well as building an international reputation as a world-class sports destination for its track record as a leading host city, Glasgow’s reign as European Capital of Sport also honours its success in creating a legacy from major events – by using them as a catalyst that increases public participation in sport and, as a result, changes lives for the better.

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: 

I’m looking forward to hosting Glasgow’s Sport Awards gala ceremony this year. It's an opportunity to recognise all those who do so much to promote sport and physical activity and the positive impact they have across our communities.

It’s also a chance to celebrate Glasgow’s outstanding year as European Capital of Sport – showcasing our city’s sporting highlights, shining a spotlight on the valuable role sport and physical activity continues to play in our future, and cementing our sustained success as a world-class sporting destination.

Finalists for Glasgow's Sport Awards categories are below. Glasgow Life is grateful to the partner organisations supporting the individual categories (and information on them can be found at: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sportawardspartners)

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

• Geraldine Fitzsimmons, Glasgow Eagles (Powerlifting)
• Samantha Kinghorn, Red Star Athletics (Para-Athletics)
• Emma Thomson, City of Glasgow Gymnastics (Artistic Gymnastics)

Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Award – in partnership with Glasgow City HSCP

• Drumchapel Parkinson’s Table Tennis
• Glasgow Life Walking Football
• Bike For Good Social Prescribing for Cycling

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

• Zain Iqbal, Southside Boxing Club (Boxing)
• Dean Patterson, Glasgow School of Sport (Athletics)
• Robyn McAlpine, Scotstoun Eagles (Squash)

 Uniting Glasgow Award – in partnership with LEAP Sports Scotland

• Active Life Club
• Queens Park Strangers
• Glasgow Afghan United – Women’s Empowerment Programme

 Glasgow School Sport Award Winners – sportscotland GOLD recipients

• Avenue End Primary School
• Cardonald Primary School
• St Bridgid’s Primary School
• Glasgow Gaelic Primary School
• Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School
• Shawlands Academy

Supporting Young Glaswegians Award – in partnership with Glasgow City Council

• Inclusive Multi Sport Camp
• UCI Girls Legacy Project
• Determind to Dance

Glasgow Coach of the Year Award – in partnership with sportscotland

• Leanne Ross, Glasgow City FC (Football)
• Jonny Mitchell, Glasgow Track Cycling (Cycling)
• Antony Quayle, Southside Boxing (Boxing)

Glasgow Volunteer of the Year Award – in partnership with Volunteer Glasgow

• Eric Sproul, Easterhouse Phoenix (Cycling)
• Sheryl Braidwood, SAPC Sycamores (Netball)
• George Nisbet, Glasgow Petanque Club (Petanque)

Glasgow Community Impact Award – in partnership with SAMH

• Lemon Acro
• Loading Bay
• Active Life Club

The following Glasgow’s Sport Awards will also be announced at the awards gala evening on 27 November:

Glasgow Lord Provost Award - recognising an individual or organisation that has made a remarkable contribution to physical activity and sport in Glasgow in the past year.

Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award – recognising a person who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in their support of physical activity or sport over a considerable period of time.

Glasgow’s Sportsperson of the Year Award – recognising a personality in the world of sport who has given the most outstanding performance in the past year.