A COACH from Stirling Council’s Communities and People Twilight Basketball programme has won the Aspiring Leader prize at the Scottish Sports Futures Year of Young People Awards.

Amanda Hiddleston, 18, from Torbrex, Stirling, attends Stirling Council Youth Team’s Twilight Basketball programme, which runs on a Friday evening at Raploch Community Campus.

Stirling Twilight celebrated having a tremendous four finalists nominated at the awards:

-Vincent Connelly – Community Champion of the Year 2018

-Duncan Watson – Community Champion of the Year 2018

-Amanda Hiddleston – Aspiring Leader Award 2018

-Dylan McCormick – Best Newcomer 2018

The basketball programme is open to young people, both male and female, aged 11 to 21, and is supported by Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) through cashback funding. 

As well as developing skills in basketball, this programme offers young people from across the Stirling Council area the opportunity to improve their physical health, take part in learning and development opportunities relative to their needs and allows young people to have a voice on how to develop the group.

SSF kickstarted the Year of Young People 2018 with the Awards night, sponsored by Sport Scotland, the national agency for sport, which showcased and celebrated Scotland’s amazing young personalities, talents, and achievers.

Heather Macpherson, team leader with Communities and People Youth Team, said: “The Youth Team are extremely proud of the Twilight Basketball programme. 

"The young people who take part are committed, enthusiastic and motivated. 

"We are delighted that our participants have been recognised for their achievements and we hope this inspires other young people to get involved.”

Councillor Chris Kane, Convenor of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “This was a fantastic achievement, not only for Amanda, but also for all the young people who participate in the Twilight Programme.

"Stirling Twilight provides a large number of benefits to its young participants which will be of great benefit to them throughout their lives.

"The fact that they had four finalists at these awards is a glowing tribute to both the young people themselves and the organisers behind the programme.”