The University of Stirling’s swim programme made a tidal wave of an impression at the 2024 Scottish Swimming Awards. As 8x Olympic medallist Duncan Scott won the prestigious Swimmer of the Year award. Coaches Steven Tigg and Bradley Hay were jointly awarded Coach of the Year.
The stars aligned for Scott – a veteran of the University’s high-performance swim programme and now Scotland’s most decorated Olympian – as he received the JY Coutts Memorial Award and the Nancy Riach Memorial Award.
The coaching award Tigg and Hay reflects the success of the University’s programme which seems to know no limits as a record eight Stirling swimmers took part in the Olympics this summer. Scott, alongside Jack McMillan, took the flight back from Paris with two gold and one silver medals between them.
Coach Hay
When reflecting on the award Hay said: “This is great and a testament to the team behind the programme; the University of Stirling, Scottish Swimming, the Sport Scotland Institute of Sport and Aquatics GB”.
“This is when we take a step back and reflect and celebrate the achievements of the athletes.”
“It’s been an intense season: the trials environment, the pressure on the athletes and getting them to the Olympic Games is one thing, but then going on to actually perform at the Olympics is something else”
“This summer has been a celebration of all the hard work they’ve put in.”
The wins continued as Dean Fearn received the WG Todd and Cup for Junior Swimmer of the Year.
The teenager is based in Aberdeen but has recently joined the University’s illustrious high-performance programme. He trains on campus a few days a week.
Talking about the win Fearn said: “It has been a big and long season. I think the toughest element was going from European Juniors straight into the British Summer Champs”.
“I was really pleased with my performances at the Euro Juniors. Then I think it was more about surviving the British Champs, but very pleased with what I achieved overall.”
Stirling are highly regarded for their swim programme. And the swim awards give credit to the hard work, grit and determination put in by the coaches and athletes that allow for the University to maintain its sporting prestige.
The 2024 Scottish Swim Awards took place on the 21st September in Aberdeen.
Image Credits: University of Stirling
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