A PARA athletics world champion and his coach will rub shoulders with some of the country's top sporting stars at a glamour awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

Fife AC star Ben Sandilands, who raced to World Para Athletics Championships gold earlier this year, and his coach, Steve Doig, has been shortlisted for honours at the Scottish Sports Awards 2023.

Hosted by sportscotland and Team Scotland, the event will celebrate the success of individuals, schools, clubs and teams across the whole of Scottish sport, across 14 award categories.

Steve, who leads a training group based at Pitreavie Athletics Centre that features Ben, current Paralympic T20 1500 metres champion, Owen Miller, and Dalgety Bay's Commonwealth Youth Games 800m bronze medallist, has been shortlisted for Coach of the Year, whilst Ben is in contention for Young Athlete of the Year.

Put forward alongside Scotland men's national football team manager Steve Clarke and Caledonia Gladitors basketball coach Gareth Murray, awards organisers said of Steve's nomination: "Steve's athlete-centred approach allows athletes to develop and succeed within their discipline and pathway.

"His commitment, expertise and inclusive style is integral to his athletes' success and enjoyment in the sport."

Steve's nomination for the Scottish Sports Awards comes after he was named as Para Performance Coach of the Year, as well as being nominated for Development Coach of the Year, at the scottishathletics and jogscotland 4J Studios Annual Awards.

That event, which was held at the end of October, also saw Caleb shortlisted for Under-20 Athlete of the Year, and Ben nominated for Para Athlete of the Year, which was won by Samantha Kinghorn.

Ben will go up against Kirsty Muir (Skiing) and Matthew Ward (Swimming) in the Young Athlete of the Year category and, following the scottishathletics' awards, Steve added: "Ben's up for a young athlete of the year award, and Scottish Athletics are up for governing body of the year. Sammi Kinghorn and Josh Kerr are up for moment of the year, which is a public vote for what people perceive to be their best sporting moment.

"There's very good athletics representation, which is good."

Mel Young, sportscotland chair, commented: "This year the judging panel had an incredibly difficult job narrowing down the finalists for each award category, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and clubs right across the Scottish sporting system.

"The Scottish Sports Awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to come together to recognise the efforts of the people who make sport happen and to celebrate success at every level. It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of the power of sport."

Ian Reid CBE, chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, added: "The breadth and depth of nominations received was truly outstanding in what has been a phenomenal year for Scottish sport.

"From athletes performing at the highest level to the organisations helping people take their first steps into physical activity, the individuals and teams shortlisted represent the absolute pinnacle of achievement.

"Recognition at the Scottish Sports Awards is just reward for their huge contribution, on what will be a memorable night of inspiration and entertainment."

The awards will take place at Glasgow Science Centre.