That the Parliament acknowledges the success of the Orkney Sports Awards 2017, which were held on 20 January in a packed Kirkwall Grammar School; notes that the ceremony provides the Orkney public with an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the many sporting achievements of individuals and teams at a local, regional and national level; congratulates Orkney pool player, Rachael Sutherland, on being named Sportsperson of the Year; understands that Rachael fought off fierce competition from fencer, Maggie Tait, and darts player, Dennis Watt, to win the title; recognises that the award is richly deserved by someone who competed at the World Championships for Scotland, as well as winning a European and host of other titles over the past year; further congratulates badminton player, Tommy Ballantine, who was named Young Sportsperson of the Year for his fantastic achievements in 2016; notes that the Team of the Year award went to Kirkwall Thorfinn FC, with the Young Team of the Year going to the St Andrews Young Bulls rugby side; further congratulates swimming coaches, Neil Blance and Helen Rothnie, who took home the Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards respectively, in recognition of Orkney swimming’s recent upturn in fortunes; notes the success as well of Ella Spence who was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her dedicated work for Orkney Climbing Club, Mia Bentley, who was named the School Sports Volunteer of the Year for her work at Stromness Academy, and football referee, Ian Scott, who took the Official of the Year; further notes the special Lifetime of Service and Dedication Award made to Willie Stewart and Brian Lanni, aka "Jack and Victor", for a combined half century of dedicated service to youth rugby coaching in the county; thanks the headline sponsor, The Orcadian and sportscotland for making the event possible; recognises the tremendous efforts of Catherine Johnson and the team of organisers, and pays tribute to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials who helped make such a convincing case for the strength of sport in Orkney at present, at all ages and across a wide range of sports; and wishes them well for the future.