Sports award

A DELEGATION from Shetland’s sporting fraternity has returned from Brussels after being awarded a top European accolade.

The islands’ high quality leisure facilities have been rewarded by the European Union, which has named Shetland ‘European Community of Sport 2013’.

Shetland Recreational Trust general manager James Johnston, who travelled with colleagues to receive the award at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, said they were honoured to be chosen.

“It is testament both to the vision of the founders of the trust and the hard work put in over the years by everyone involved in sport in the islands,” he said.

Shetland Islands Council leader Gary Robinson paid tribute to former SIC directors Rob Anderson and John Nicolson who laid the groundwork for the island’s exemplary sporting facilities.

The award was given not only for the quality of the facilities, but also the high levels of participation and the dedication of staff.

Meanwhile sporting clubs and associations from across Shetland have been invited to join discussions about the future of sport in the isles at a special meeting next Thursday.

The SIC and recreational trust will be joined by representatives of the national body sportscotland at the Shetland Sports Forum 2012 at the Clickimin Bowls Hall from 6.30 to 9.30pm.

The trust’s depute general manager Shona Nisbet urged all clubs and associations with an interest in promoting and progressing sport in Shetland to come along.

“Now that we have the Shetland Sport Strategy, it is important that we maintain momentum and get to work with the help of the community on putting it into practice,” she said