Congratulations to Step Rock on their recognition at the East Fife Sports Council Awards

The achievements of several Step Rockers were recognised at this year’s East Fife Sports Council Awards which took place in Cupar on Wednesday 5th March

· Sharon Hedley – Winner, Coach of the Year

· Andrew L– Winner, Junior Athlete of the Year

· Oscar G – nomination, Junior Athlete of the Year

· Isla H – Winner, Youth Athlete of the Year

· Finch G – Runner Up, Youth Athlete of the Year

· Laura M – Runner Up, Senior Athlete of the Year

Sharon Hedley was awarded Coach of the Year. Her nomination highlighted the results of her incredible dedication to the club under the themes of performance development, supporting others in the club, supporting long-term athlete development and wider club development as well as helping to increase participation in the sport.

Sharon’s impact at Step Rock has been nothing short of phenomenal and under her coaching, Step Rock swimmers have achieved unprecedented success on a National and District level:

Step Rock swimmers have qualified for 10 National (GB or Scottish) events winning 4 National titles at the Scottish National Age Group Championships, 5 golds at the Scottish Summer Meet. In addition, for the first time ever, Step Rock swimmers qualified for the GB Aquatics Meet and were selected to the Scottish East team to compete at the Swim England National County Team Championships. A total of 32 Step Rock swimmers competed at District Level (East District Age Groups), 10 achieving final (or top 8 positions and winning 6 gold medals

Sharon’s has adopted a holistic approach to training, developing and managing the annual training plan which is used by all coaches at Step Rock but also introducing a number of initiatives which seek to promote long-term athlete development. From monitoring attendance and progress amongst the younger swimmers to goal-setting sessions with the senior swimmers, she has established an ethos of sport for life and always ensures that all swimmers (and their parents) are informed and engaged with their swimming journey.

Importantly, Sharon not only supports the development of competitive swimmers, but she actively supports those members who also participate in triathlon. Using her vast personal experience in triathlon, she helps guide those swimmers, both in swimming and in their additional training.

With Sharon at the helm, it is no surprise that the Step Rock swimmers have also gone on to such success:

Andrew L was awarded the Junior athlete of the Year trophy. Andrew enjoyed multiple high-level successes this year, becoming Step Rock’s first ever National Champion in the pool. Taking four titles at the Scottish National Age Group Championships, as well as claiming gold at the Scottish Summer meet in four events, he also won the silver medal at the Swim England National County Team Championships at which he was representing Scotland East.

Congratulations also go to Oscar G who was nominated in the same category for his selection to National performance pathways in both triathlon and open water swimming.

Isla H was awarded the Youth Athlete of the Year trophy for another fantastic year representing GB, and Scotland across multiple sports including triathlon, open water swimming, hill-running and cyclo-cross. Highlights for Isla in 2024 included winning the British Junior Triathlon Championships, placing 12th in the World Junior Triathlon Championships, and 4th at the European Triathlon Cup. Isla competed in 5 individual open water events across the season, winning gold in all 5 claiming the National OW Championship title in both the 1k and 2km events. Representing GB at the European uphill championships, Isla placed 6th with a 7th place finish in the Scottish cyclocross championships.

Finch G was awarded runner up in the same category. Selected to the Triathlon Scotland performance pathway for the last three years, Finch won gold at the Scottish Schools Aquathlon in 2024.

Laura M was awarded runner up in the Senior athlete of the Year category. A Step Rock swimmer since the age of 4, Laura (28) not only continues to balance her demanding career as a paramedic with her love of swimming, but she also continues to improve, gaining lifetime best times in the 800m free, 400m free, 1500m free and 200m IM in 2024. Laura won gold at the Scottish National Open & Age group masters in the 800m free, silver in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, 100m and 200m IM and the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Well done to all of our nominees, runners up and winners and thank you to Club President, Maria and Club Secretary, Helen for attending the event on behalf of the club.

What a fantastic achievement for you all individually and for the club as a whole.