THE governing body for tennis in Scotland have served up nominees for their annual prizegiving ceremony - and includes a West Fife stalwart of the sport.

Alan Russell, who coaches with both Dunfermline Tennis Club and Brucehaven Tennis Club, in Limekilns, has been shortlisted for an accolade in the Tennis Scotland Awards 2024.

Honouring the contributions made to tennis and pedal tennis across the country, a total of 20 awards will be handed out, ranging from celebrating the achievements of professional players, to the priceless contributions of volunteers, at the event next month.

Alan, who has twice been named as Coach of the Year, is one of three nominees in the Official of the Year category.

Alongside his coaching work with both Dunfermline and Brucehaven, he has began to focus more on officiating, commenting: "I was nominated before, but that year I won the coach of the year, whereas I've tried to concentrate more on refereeing, because my body can stand up to longer than that, than it can for coaching."

In 2013 and 2018, Alan was named as Tennis Scotland's Coach of the Year, and following his latter success, he was put forward for the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) Coach of the Year prize at its annual awards ceremony.

Dunfermline Press: Alan has been recognised for his work in officiating.Alan has been recognised for his work in officiating. (Image: Jim Payne.)

Launched in 2015, the LTA awards acknowledge the thousands of volunteers, coaches and officials involved in the sport across the country, as well as the achievements of individuals, schools and clubs, with finalists chosen from regional winners.

Last year, former Dunfermline Tennis Club player and coach Alessia Palmieri, a Scottish Cup finalist with the team in 2016, scooped the Development Coach of the Year title at the LTA Awards.

Her success, after she had won the equivalent Tennis Scotland prize, came in recognition for her work with Fossoway Tennis Club, in her home village of Crook of Devon, tennis programmes for kids and adults alike, growing its membership to around 370 in the year prior.

The Tennis Scotland Awards take place in Stirling on Friday March 29.