THE lead coach with a West Fife based athletics training group has said winning an award ahead of the Scotland men's football team boss is down to them.

Steve Doig, who trains a mixed group of athletes and para athletics at Pitreavie Athletics Centre, was named Coach of the Year at the Scottish Sports Awards 2023 last Thursday.

The event, hosted by sportscotland and Team Scotland, saw the best of Scottish sport celebrated across 14 categories, with individuals, teams, clubs and schools feted.

Steve, who has coached athletes with Fife AC and Pitreavie AAC, was nominated for the prize alongside Steve Clarke, who has guided the men's national football side to next summer's European Championship finals in Germany, and Caledonia Gladiators basketball coach, Gareth Murray, who led them to the British Basketball League (BBL) Trophy in 2022/23.

"It was a decent night! I didn't expect it, not when you look at the people involved," Steve told Press Sport.

"My one - it's not mine, really, it's the group's, because it's based on individuals who perform well and, ok, I play a part in that, but they're the ones that have to go and do the work - it's a nice one for para athletics, para sport."

Those who are part of Steve's training group include T20 1500 metre para athletes Ben Sandilands, Owen Miller - who won gold at the delayed 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo - and Steven Bryce, as well as Dalgety Bay's Pitreavie athlete, Caleb McLeod, who won 800m bronze at this year's Commonwealth Youth Games.

West Fife track star Owen, who memorably won Paralympic gold on his Games debut at the delayed Tokyo event in 2021, ran for Great Britain in the World Para Athletics Championships final in the summer, alongside Fife AC team-mate Ben, from Kirkcaldy, and Steven, whose club is Victoria Park City of Glasgow.

In a dramatic race, Ben, who was shortlisted for Young Athlete of the Year, stormed to a stunning gold medal.

Award organisers noted: "For a coach to have three athletes make a world final is a huge achievement and testament to Steve and his coaching.

"This season has seen athletes under his tutelage achieve an array of personal best performances, team selections and national achievements with several of them engaged in performance pathway programmes.

"Steve’s athlete-centred approach allows athletes to develop and succeed within their discipline and pathway. His commitment, expertise and inclusive style is integral to his athletes’ success and enjoyment in the sport."

In a video posted on social media by sportscotland after Steve's award win, Owen, Ben and Steve all paid tribute to their coach, with Owen commenting: "I went to Tokyo two years ago and got a gold medal.

"Ever since I went to Steve's group, they've helped me through a lot. He thinks of everybody else. He's good, he's really thoughtful, and he helps people out, helps the whole group out."

Ben said: "He's good, very encouraging, really motivating.

"I think he gives up quite a lot of his time to come down and help train, and put on sessions for us, so we can do them."

Steven added: "I went to France with him. He's good, he's good to work with.

"He makes me run better, run faster."

David Ovens, chair of scottishathletics, said: "When you look across all of the athletes, Steve doesn't see the disabilities. He sees the individual, and the potential within each of the individuals. He's fantastic, he's very enthusiastic."

Steve continued: "Caleb's included in the nomination, but I guess the main driver is the para athletes."

"It does come down to that if those three hadn't been picked, and one of them hadn't won a gold medal, it's unlikely the nomination would've been put in, and you wouldn't have done any less good work.

"You're getting lauded for what you've done, but it's the fact that one or two individuals then achieve, that makes you appear to stand out.

"Like Billy Roberton (winner of the Community Hero Award), there's hundreds of people across athletics clubs in Scotland doing exactly the same as me, but you're luck is one or two good athletes turn up at your door. It doesn't make you any better, does it?

"It maybe has helped make them better, but the fact is they've got to be talented in the first place.

"It was nice to have that accolade."

He added: "My interest in athletics has pretty much been lifelong and I just want to get the best out of every athlete I can and just identifying what they can achieve and help them reach their targets.

"I am so proud of what people have achieved, but also proud of the fact that so many people have been involved in helping these athletes achieve their goals.

"I’ve always said to the people I coach, find something you are interested in and go ahead and do it, because there’s great rewards out there, from satisfaction, to happiness, to helping people get to where they want to be."

Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young, said: “A huge congratulations to Steve and all of the winners at this year's Scottish Sport Awards.

"The calibre of talent we have seen at this year’s awards ceremony is once again testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone across the Scottish sporting system.

"Every year the Scottish Sports Awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the power of sport and recognise people like Steve, who commit so much time and dedication to their sport and to their athletes. Every winner at this year’s awards is truly deserving of the recognition and celebration."

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Ian Reid, added: "Behind each of our international athletes is an outstanding coach, and Steve represents the pinnacle of achievement, meeting the needs of each individual and guiding his athletes to inspirational results across a wide range of championships. Recognition at the Scottish Sports Awards is just reward for his huge contribution."