Inspirational Perthshire sports volunteer Jim Hunter has been recognised for his tireless work in athletics and disability sport.
The president of Perth Strathtay Harriers was this week awarded a Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Lifetime Achievement Award by sportscotland, in recognition of his longstanding commitment to making athletics more accessible to people of all abilities.
The sportscotland COV Awards celebrate all those who break down barriers, inspire and enhance the lives of others through sport, and recognise the commitment of those who apply their own time and effort to make sport accessible to all.
Identifying the benefits sport can have on mental and physical wellbeing, through teamwork, communication and self esteem, Jim has spent his life doing all he can to introduce physical activity into the lives of others.
For more than 40 years, Perth-based Jim has spent 20 hours a week working with, guiding, and encouraging people in the world of athletics, volunteering his own time to allow others to shine and realise their potential.
From grassroots sport through to high performance and from athletes to coaches, Jim has provided support and encouragement which has benefited athletics teams, running clubs and charities across the country. His work spans organisations including Perth Strathtay Harriers, UK Athletics, Scottish Athletics, Scottish Disability Sport, Live Active Leisure and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). He has also played a part in the Special Olympics Games as a UK Team Coach.
Over the course of his life, Jim has contributed to many projects and has amassed a wide network of regional and national contacts across local authorities and the NHS, all in an attempt to break down the barriers to participation in sport and improve other peoples’ chances of success.
Through voluntary and charity work, he has enriched the lives of countless children in north east Scotland, generating valuable funds to help further develop sport for youths in Perth and Kinross.
“I love taking part in sport and like so many volunteers, an experienced coach one day asked me to come along and help out and it’s been like that ever since - I’ve been coming along and helping out with various groups,” Jim said.
“When you get that little glimmer of a smile on the little one’s - or not so little one’s - faces, that’s what seems to tick my box. It’s about encouraging the next generation to keep coming through and it’s just wonderful to be recognised for this.”
Mel Young, Chair of sportscotland, said: “Our Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards give us a chance to celebrate the great sporting achievements and moments that are taking place every day and congratulate those who are making an incredible commitment to Scottish sport.
“Across Scotland, there are thousands of sporting enthusiasts who recognise the impact that sport and teamwork can have on our lives. The people we are celebrating have taken that recognition and turned it into life-changing ambition and force for good.
“Individuals like Jim have dedicated their time to helping others realise their sporting potential and shown the far-reaching benefits of community spirit and participation.”
This year saw the awards return for the first time since 2019, with sportscotland receiving 320 nominations covering 30 different sports across 31 local authorities.
People keen to recognise the invaluable contributions of selfless coaches, officials and volunteers working across a range of sports the length and breadth of the country submitted their nominations earlier in the year.
Coaches of local Olympic curling gold medallist Eve Muirhead through the years, who have been integral to her success, won the 2022 Coaching Chain Award. Perthshire’s David Hay was among them.
The COV winners attended a presentation ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers as a thank you for their work and dedication.
