A volunteer running coach from Kilmarnock has been shortlisted for a major gong at the Scottish Sports Awards 2023.

Billy Roberton is in the running for the Scottish Community Hero of the Year award, alongside Karen Kelly and Ruby McDonald. 

The awards, hosted by sportscotland and Team Scotland, take place on Thursday, December 7, celebrate the success of individuals, schools, clubs, and teams across Scottish sport.

Billy is a coach for Kilmarnock Harriers and has been hailed for helping the club grow to new levels. 

A spokesperson for the awards said: "Billy Roberton is without a shadow of a doubt the heartbeat of Kilmarnock Harriers.

"As a volunteer coach Billy inspires and engages others every single day. Regardless of age, ability, background or gender Billy can see an athlete in every one of us.

"With this mantra Billy encourages participation for participation's sake not for excellence, this approach has led to several national and international champions this year.

Billy recognised the value of what Kilmarnock Harriers was offering to the community. It was Billy who successfully devised the major project of restructuring and redefining what the club was all about.

"Drawing from his own experience Billy has created the largest community club outside Scotland major cities."

Chair of sportscotland Mel Young said: “This year the judging panel had an incredibly difficult job narrowing down the finalists for each award category, which is testament to the hard work and dedication of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and clubs right across the Scottish sporting system.

“The Scottish Sports Awards provide us with a fantastic opportunity to come together to recognise the efforts of the people who make sport happen and to celebrate success at every level.

"It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of the power of sport.”

This year the awards will be held at the Glasgow Science Centre in an exciting new format where the winners’ stories will be shared on the biggest screen in Scotland.