A STIRLING coach’s impact on Scottish wheelchair curling was recognised by a sportscotland award this month.

Sheila Swan scooped the High Performance Coach of the Year award for her significant contribution over the past year.

Originally from Perth, Sheila coaches at the National Curling Centre in Stirling following a stellar player career that saw her win gold at the 2002 World Curling Championships.

Under her guidance as coach, Scotland won silver in the world championships and the squad also led the team to the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Sheila said: “I think it is just about seeing people achieve.

“Whether it is club curling where someone might not have participated in the sport before and all of a sudden, they can throw it full length and enjoy the social side of it.

“It’s as much about those participants as it is who I work with now and athletes going to Paralympics or winning medals at World Championships.

“I often say to people that it is not about the medals, especially with wheelchair curling, it can be life changing for participants.”