Many thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the form and nominate someone for the Scottish Sportsperson of the year award. We ended up with 19 respondents who nominated a total of 12 members. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the nominations and seeing the nice words said about our nominees. So who are our nominees?
1. Alastair Johnstone – Badgie (5 nominations)
2. Chris Rafferty – Chris Raff88 (3 nominations)
3. Chris Hastings – Highland Enoch (2 nominations)
4. Kevin McMurdo – Actually_Zod (1 nomination)
5. Andrew McKay – Stoddieboy (1 nomination)
6. Gavin Wilshaw – Games (1 nomination)
7. Kris McMurdo – CapnRedbeard (1 nomination)
8. Marc McNaughton – MarkyMarc (1 nomination)
9. Shaun Gray – Spooner (1 nomination)
10. Connor Mitchell – TheBunneh (1 nomination)
11. Thomme Kirkwood – FaerieQueenofAlbion (1 nomination)
12. Hugh Yardley – Gerdleah (1 nomination)
So let’s have a look at what the proposers said about our nominees…
Alastair Johnstone (Badgie)
“I haven't played many tournaments this year though one that I did attend was hosted by Badgie, I also had the pleasure of playing against him. I went up 1-0 and pitch cleared him in the first half, normally some coaches would be a bit demoralised going into the second half but instead Badgie kept his head up and we were having a good laugh. A couple of short and unbelievable drives later I'm staring at a possible 2-1 defeat (I luckily tied the game up at the end) and ended up having one of the most enjoyable and memorable games of my life!” – Stephen Brands (DexterSpaceport)
“Always coming to a tournament with a smile on his face and leaving with it even when walking home with a wooden spoon. Also hosted the well run border brawl.” – Scott Paton (JackH)
“Badgie burst on to the scene this year full of energy and laughs. Despite winning multiple wooden spoon awards, he has continued to persevere in competition with a smile on his face and is always a pleasure to be around. Not only has he attended multiple tournaments in and out of Scotland but he also ran a successful event himself showing his commitment to the community. He contributes continually on the socials and is always up for a laugh. We should all be more like Badgie.” – Chris Rafferty (ChrisRaff88)
“The guy is always smiling, even when winning more spoons than you find in a cutlery shop. Contributes to the community, runs (ran) a league and tournament and all round decent guy. Only negative? That mother fu**er stole my burger at Home Nations.” – Ben Smith (Amsfeld)
“Constant positivity regardless of outcome on the pitch, a model of how coaches should carry themselves.” – Will Ramsay (WillPower)
Chris Rafferty (ChrisRaff88)
“Where to start, I have been around the team Scotland community for MANY years, back when being Scottish and being able to travel meant you were on the team. To see what it has now become is quite frankly amazing. With that said I truly believe the community and team itself would not be anywhere near the level of competitiveness, organised and quite frankly a pleasure to be around if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication of certain members of the community. The stand out person from those select few is 100% Chris, he runs many tournaments, is very engaging and I have not come across anyone who has a bad word to say about the guy.
Take a bow Chris you deserve it.” – Gavin Sutton (Valen)
“He takes on too much, does way too much to help out the community, even at the cost of his own mental health.” – Alec Urquhart (DionysisA18)
““If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
A quote that can only be used to describe those that lift others, and create true growth not only for people, but also community at large.
Chris deserves this for his constant contribution and development of the Scottish Blood Bowl community this year, he may sigh it off in his role as chairman, but truly he has went above and beyond what that roles asks of someone to contribute, and done so much to build and grow the community and player base in general.
Hosting 3 tournaments this year, the first ever Scottish National being one. Organising and running the largest league in Scotland, with a constant influx of new coaches who are excited to play. Organising and attending multiple tournaments and the trips to those tournaments out with Scotland, UKTC, Titanic cup, to name but a few, and potentially the biggest feather in his cap, listening to me whinge endlessly about star players and the need for more bans.
Beyond all this, the man still somehow finds time to play the game, and when he does he is nothing but a pleasure to play, and helpful in advice on the game and reflection on what could be improved. I can say nothing but good things, and hope as he reads this he feels proud and doesn't rule himself out the running!” – Chris Connelly (I_done_goofd)
Chris Hastings (HighlandEnoch)
“They are always the happiest person in the room and always have time to chat to players about their games. Having someone who always puts a positive light on things is refreshing in this hobby and should be recognised. I had the privilege of playing Chris at UKTC and that game was amazing. The banter throughout, the tactics chat at the end, the works. Couldn't have asked for a nicer opponent. They also run a tournament so they're even giving back to us too. Chris is a valuable part of the SBBC and long may he keep rolling dice.” – Shaun Gray (Spooner)
“For being a great member of the community, always contributing to a great atmosphere” – Ryan Odlin (Mournival)
Kevin McMurdo (Actually_Zod)
“Kevin is a great opponent to play and will happily coach a player even if it could result in a loss. He is happy to spend time teaching people at our club (Dumfries Gamers) and anyone who wants to learn this amazing game. He also regularly is the duty driver for us from the borders to the tournaments and down south to a couple in England. His kind and happy personality is the example of what we want to promote in the community.” – Simon Whitehouse (CursedofNuffle)
Thomme Kirkwood (FaerieQueenofAlbion)
“Wholeheartedly throwing themselves into the community as a new player, taking on TO duties, always being a pleasure to play against and always engaging in the discord with other players in a positive manner.” – Lewis Mullan (LewishM)
Kris McMurdo (CapnRedbeard)
“Kris is always a delight to play against. When he's winning, he's incredibly gracious, willing to help his opponent, and make sure his opponent is having a good time; when he's losing, he's laughing and celebrating his opponent's good fortune along with them. He'll also be the first to check in with you between games to see how you're doing. Just a top bloke and a great sport.” – Thomme Kirkwood (FaerieQueenofAlbion)
Marc McNaughton (MarkyMarc)
“Marc is a much better Blood Bowl coach than I will ever be: realistically, a game against me is no challenge for him. Nevertheless, when I've played him he's seemed to be having a genuinely good time and made sure I was too, cracking lots of jokes and showing no mercy. But after the game, he immediately offered to coach me on why he had made the decisions he did, where I did things right and where I had played into his hands. Outside of a game against him, he's still incredibly encouraging, extremely generous with advice, with encouragement to take part in extra tournaments and events.” - Thomme Kirkwood (FaerieQueenofAlbion)
Connor Mitchell (TheBunneh)
“Connor's commitment to helping where he can. He recently helped out the Northern Irish Eur’Open team who had a last minute vacancy. At no inconsiderable cost, and complex logistical arrangement with family life, he stepped up and filled a hole in their team when they were in a jam.
His enthusiasm for learning the game, and grabbing the opportunity for experiences with the community and being helpful where he can makes him an ideal candidate for Sportsperson of the Year in the Scottish Blood Bowl community.” – Jock Wright (bb_jock)
Shaun Gray (Spooner)
“He has been a vocal and positive force in the community this year, welcoming and encouraging new coaches. His advocacy for Food bowl and its charitable cause was a particular highlight.” – Callum Morrison (Shriyke)
Andrew McKay (Stoddieboy)
“Creating and building the MMBBL in Morayshire, this has produced a fantastic league and a great community with 31 active league players… it is a growing community of friendly players and really fun gaming environment” – Phillip Mason (Legion3780)
Gavin Wilshaw (Games)
“Despite not having a lot of time for hobby, Gavin does a lot for the community. He organised some wacky tournaments pre-Covid, made the switch to FUMBBL during Covid, now runs the Snail tournament (including a secret league version next year) and is also planning a return to in-person events October with another specialist tournament - Gutter Bowl. He's a top bloke - despite being a Hibee.” – Chris Noden (StripeyDave)
Hugh Yardley (Gerdleah)
“Hugh is actually a really great person both in the community and to play. He is our beacon of hope.” – Marc McNaughton (MarkyMarc)
Well I hope you all enjoyed reading through the nice words written our nominees as much as I did. It is really nice to hear the good stuff that has happened this year and celebrate those in the community who contribute in so many ways. So without any further ado, it is time to open voting for the Scottish Sportsperson of the Year 2024. Who do you think should win? You can vote by filling out the voting form via this link: https://forms.gle/7oQnxKoFNQnHuy4SA
The deadline for voting is this coming Sunday 15th December.
ChrisRaff88
Scottish Blood Bowl Committee Chairman
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