Kirsty Letton Wins Sportsscotland Lifetime Achievement Award
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Kirsty Letton has won the sportscotland Lifetime Volunteering Award for her services to curling. Kirsty was presented with her award last night by the Minister for Sport, Aileen Campbell, at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards, in Stirling.
Speaking at the dinner, Kirsty told those gathered: ‘I think I’ve been very lucky. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in different aspects of the sport apart from coaching and playing. I’ve been involved in many events; and it’s the people that you meet and so many other volunteers without whom events wouldn’t be successful who make it so enjoyable. You wouldn’t do it if you didn’t enjoy it and a volunteer that enjoys it is a good volunteer!’
Kirsty, who’s dedication was described last night by the Minister for Sport as ‘inspirational’, was nominated by RCCC and South Ayrshire Council. The picture above (taken by Alan Peebles) shows Kirsty and Jimmy Letton, with Fiona Harfield (left) and Judith McCleary (right) both from The Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
Kirsty is an active member of Troon Portland CC and Glasgow Ladies CC, however her 40 year contribution to curling has spread much more widely, we’d love to take a moment to share just how special Kirsty is, and how high a regard we hold her in.
Kirsty has played an active role in the organisation of a number of curling events including Executive member of the 1985 Air Canada Silver broom event in Glasgow, Chair of the 1988 World Women’s Curling Championship in Glasgow, Host Committee member of the 2000 World Curling Championships at Braehead, Renfrewshire and Chair of the 2005 World Wheelchair Curling Championship at Braehead, Renfrewshire. These are just a few of many competitions and events that Kirsty has successfully led a team of volunteers to deliver.
From 1989 to 1990, Kirsty was appointed as RCCC Ladies Branch President, and took on the ambassador role as one would expect with a dedicated approach to fulfil her duties. She has enjoyed many representative roles for RCCC having been selected for a Ladies Tour to Sweden through which she established lifelong curling friendships, and having competed in three World Senior Curling Championships as winner of the Scottish Curling Senior Championship. She is quietly modest about her achievements but has two World Championship medals to her name; a Gold from the 2000 World Senior Curling Championship and a Silver from the 2008 World Senior Curling Championship.
Kirsty has encouraged and inspired people under her direct coaching to develop their techniques, to reach their potential and most importantly, to enjoy the game of curling. A recipient of her coaching recently said ‘She loves curling and is so enthusiastic, it’s infectious’. In recognition of her coaching, Kirsty was nominated for, and won, the 2014 RCCC Grassroots Coach of the Year award.
As a highly knowledgeable and experienced coach, Kirsty was asked to become a RCCC Tutor and Assessor and has delivered coaching courses the length and breadth of the country. In addition she is a current member of the RCCC Coaching Committee helping to develop and shape curling coaching across Scotland.
At her local ice rink, Ayr, she identified a few years ago that there was a need to instil a structure that would allow programmes to be delivered and developed for all ages and abilities of participants. Once Kirsty had set her mind to it, she initiated the formation of Ayr Curling Development Group for the start of the 2013-14 season. With responsibility specifically for coach development in Ayr Curling Development Group, Kirsty has increased the number of coaches from 5 to 26 active coaches who are delivering Try Curling, Beginners, Improvers and Curling’s Cool programmes.
President of Ayr Curling Club, David McIntyre, said ‘I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. Kirsty has been the driving force behind revamping Ayr’s coaching set up. The club has a great set of coaches who are all following on from Kirsty’s example and work ethic. Our coaching organisation is light years from where it had been previously and this is due to Kirsty’s vision and hard work. To get where we are now was not an overnight project but a long hard slog and hopefully we will reap the rewards now!’
Many Congratulations to Kirsty on such a richly deserved award.