More than 200 people packed the Cartland Bridge Hotel in late March to celebrate the South Lanarkshire Leisure (SLL) 2006 Clydesdale Sports Personality & Team of the Year Awards.

In partnership with Clydesdale Sports Council, SLL’s Community Recreation department has been involved in the annual awards ceremony since its inception in 1983.

SLL community recreation manager Millar Stoddart and Colin McKendrick, community recreation liaison officer assist the Clydesdale Sports Council Executive Committees to prepare and organise the annual event.

Now an established local event, the 2006 awards began with an auction and raffle. Prizes included eight people winning a tour to the Scottish Parliament buildings at Holyrood, with the opportunity to sit in at the First Minister’s Question Time. There were also bottles of whiskey, signed by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Stoddart said: “The awards are an excellent opportunity to raise awareness that SLL is involved in such a high-profile, and successful, annual event. It recognises and encourages local talents of all ages.

“In Community Recreation, we aim to encourage local sports and leisure participation within all areas of Clydesdale. Colin and I both enjoy being involved in this event and it is always well received by the locals and all the attendees.”

Local MP Jimmy Hood added: “South Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Leisure contribute greatly and I am delighted that they give excellent support to the four Local Sports Councils working in partnership to assist the volunteers in the preparations of events and projects.”

Proceeds from the auction and raffle amounted to £1,000, which will go towards funding future events at the National Sports Training Centre in Inverclyde, Largs, which SLL will also assist with.

SLL’s Community Recreation is involved in a number of local events and projects throughout the year. For more information on Community Recreation in South Lanarkshire, call +44 (0)1698 476192