Athletes recognised for achievements at Caithness Sports Awards
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Stars from surfing, boxing and riding have been honoured along with a stalwart from the county’s rugby scene.
They were recognised at the annual awards ceremony hosted by Caithness Sports Council.
The senior male award was picked up by surfer Craig McLachlan who has made remarkable strides since taking up the sport as a 10-year-old.
In November 2021, he became the youngest Scottish senior men’s champion when he clinched the title on his home surf on Thurso East.
Craig, from Murkle, has continued to impress this year, posting results that no Scot has previously achieved in the sport.
He won the Scottish National juniors and under-18 championships; was runner-up in the Scottish Open; fourth in the International Boardmasters junior Championships; and 16th in the European Junior Championships.
In October, he became the first Scot to win the under-18s British title, beating the European junior champion Lukas Skinner in the final.
He also finished fourth in the senior competition, just missing out on a place to win a chance to qualify for the British Olympic team.
He was nominated by North Shore Surf Club chairman Jason Simpson.
He said: “All his achievements have been against the odds as the surfing season in Scotland runs from about November to April when dark nights make surfing after school impossible.
“Even with this disadvantage, he has still climbed to the dizzy heights of the best in Britain.
“Outwith his own development, Craig has also found time to provide support for other surfers, carrying out video analysis and coaching.”
The Junior Caithness Sportsperson of the Year award went to Alisha Mackay, of Caithness Boxing Club.
Alisha has dedicated herself to the sport since she joined the club when it opened as a 12-year-old.
In 2020, she became a registered boxer at the age of 15.
In November 2021, she gained her first win at the age of 16 and was chosen as the club’s Woman Of The Year.
Alisha has a clean record of 4-0 after winning her fourth bout at the Scottish National Development Championships 2022.
She then wrote her name in the history books by becoming the first person from the club to become a national champion.
The Caithness Parasportsperson of the Year award went to Pebbles Sawyer, a member of the Caithness RDA.
The nine-year-old, who is a wheelchair user, is a very popular member of the organisation, which meets at the Halkirk indoor riding centre, according to branch secretary Liz Hewitson, who nominated her.
She said: “Pebbles gains fun, achievement and therapy at riding sessions.
“She has the most amazing smile that can be seen when she’s riding, showing just how much she loves the sport.
“She shows such independence when mounting from the hydraulic platform and then sits up so well and is so determined to give her best during her riding sessions.”
The Caithness service-to-sport award, presented by Club Sport Scotland, went to Peter Blackwood, from Halkirk.
He has played a very active role throughout the 60-year history of Caithness Rugby Football Club.
A founding member of the club in 1962, he was among the core of enthusiasts who established and nurtured the growth of the game in the county.
Acting as club secretary for 30 years from 1965 to 1995 and treasurer from 2006 to 2015, he also has had stints as fixture secretary, vice-president and president.
His playing career saw him make 264 appearances between 1962 and 1980.
In his latter stint on the committee, Blackwood helped draw up the blueprint for the development of the club which has seen a major improvement of the pitches, the growth of the youth and women’s sections and the emergence of the clubhouse.
His award was received by his son David.
