AQUATICS stars from West Fife made a splash on Saturday evening as their achievements were celebrated at a prestigious event.
Scottish Swimming hosted their annual awards evening for 2024, in Aberdeen, to recognise the achievements of athletes and coaches, as well as contributions made by volunteers, clubs and partners during the last 12 months.
A total of 23 prizes were handed out during the ceremony, which was attended by more than 310 guests, including Swimmer of the Year for Paris Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Scott.
After a hugely successful year in the pool, Dunfermline Water Polo Club star, Niamh Moloney, was named as the Senior Water Polo Player of the Year, whilst Andrew Ross, of Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club, picked up the Development Coach of the Year accolade.
Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club were also shortlisted for the much-anticipated Club of the Year prize, alongside Aberdeen Diving and Midlothian Swimming Club, with the latter picking up the award.
The award for 2024 is the third time, and second year running, that Niamh has been named as Senior Water Polo Player of the Year and comes after a stellar 12 months on the international stage.
In early January, she was selected to represent Great Britain's senior women's squad at the European Water Polo Championship, which was the team's first appearance at the tournament in a decade.
Niamh and her team-mates defied the odds to reach the quarter-finals and, after finishing seventh overall, qualified for the 2024 World Aquatics Championships, which took place in Doha the following month.
GB went on to finish 11th, which was the highest placing of any British side since the inaugural women's World Championship tournament in 1986.
Following those successes, Niamh was also named as Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council's Sports Personality of the Year for 2023 at its annual awards.
Richie Metcalfe, secretary of Dunfermline Water Polo Club, commented: "She's had an awesome 12 months, and is probably the only Scot to make world championships at water polo for as many years as we can probably find records for.
"She's the stand-out player in Scotland really, performing at those levels."
The Junior Water Polo Player of the Year award was won by Murray Dickson, who trains with Dunfermline, but his first claim club is Stirling.
It was also an evening of celebration for Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club, after picking up one accolade, and being shortlisted for another.
One of their volunteers, Andrew Ross, picked up the title of Development Coach of the Year for his "nurturing and encouraging approach, helping build confidence and self-esteem among all the the young swimmers", whilst they were also in the running for Club of the Year.
The award, which Carnegie Swimming Club were presented with in 2021, is presented to the club who has demonstrated outstanding progress and engagement within their community.
Despite missing out on winning the award, Dunfermline Amateur Swimming Club member, Alasdair Baird, said: "Just to be shortlisted, that’s an incredible feat for an organisation made up entirely of volunteers.
"To be recognised at this level is amazing and it’s a great reflection on what we do.
"It’s a very inclusive club and the main goal is just to facilitate kids swimming. You’ve got kids who are great competitors, and we love watching them win medals, but our whole ethos as a club is that swimming should be for everybody."
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