Inspirational netball coach picks up top award

An inspirational netball coach from Lanark has been crowned Community Coach of the Year at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Awards 2023.

Mhairi Lake has been recognised for her incredible efforts made to netball within the Clydesdale area, ascending her way to the very top of coaching performance in Scotland.

The sportscotland COV Awards celebrate all those who break down barriers, inspire and enhance the lives of others through sport, and recognise the commitment of those who apply their own time and effort to make sport accessible to all.

For the last four years, former Carluke High School pupil Mhairi has been responsible for getting Clydesdale Netball Club off the ground.

Mhairi, who is now head coach and secretary at Clydesdale Netball Club, was integral on the introduction of the junior section, which has just continued to grow and grow, with the club now consisting of over 250 members, right the way from minis (primary school) to seniors (18+).

As well as her work with the junior section of the club, Mhairi led the expansion of the club to include a social section and walking netball, therefore increasing the accessibility to women and girls from ages seven to seventy years old.

Mhairi dedicates so much of her time to ensuring the needs of club members and the wider community are met.

Inspired by her drive and determination, the club competes in leagues in Central, Lanarkshire and Glasgow, with many of the U18 teams achieving great success last season.

She told the Advertiser : “I am very proud to have won this award. It feels like I have been netball non-stop for many years now, even on the years running up to the club starting in 2018.

“It’s really nice to receive this recognition