North Lanarkshire basketball official receives sportscotland award

A sport official from North Lanarkshire has won the Young Official of the Year award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Awards 2024.

Finlay Thompson been recognised for the time and dedication he has given to basketball in the area and particularly NL Chiefs Basketball Club

Finlay has made significant contributions to the club this year, combining playing and officiating. This season he has officiated an impressive 54 fixtures, covering various levels from under 14s to seniors.

He is a qualified level one referee and has refereed at both national and local league levels. His value to the club continues to grow as Finlay is taking on coaching qualifications with Basketball Scotland.

His passion for basketball is infectious and his work has allowed countless people to enjoy the benefits of sport.

Finlay, from Cumbernauld, said: “I wanted to learn a bit more about the rules and get a better understanding of the game because I play as well. So I did a course and really liked it. I really enjoy it, you meet a lot of great people doing it as well.”

Ross Dillon, player and coach at NL Chiefs Basketball Club, added: “He’s a massive character in training, he’s a great laugh, all the boys love him. I’ve coached him since he was nine or 10 years old.

“He’s a great communicator, when he’s on the table officiating he’s great at communicating with everyone involved to make sure the game is running as smoothly as it can.”

The sportscotland COV Awards celebrates the people who make sport happen in communities across Scotland, who inspire and enhance the lives of others and often commit their own time to help make sport accessible to as many people as possible.

This year nearly 300 nominations were received covering 34 different sports and all 32 local authorities.

The COV winners were invited to collect their award at a presentation ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers on November 7.

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “Every year the Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the people across the country who have given so much of their time and dedication to Scottish sport and are making such an impact on their sport and their community.

“Across Scotland, there are thousands of people who recognise the impact that sport can have on us all. The people we are celebrating have taken that recognition and, with a huge amount of hard work, helped to change people’s lives.

“Individuals like Finlay have dedicated a huge amount of their time to helping others realise their sporting potential.”

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