Opinion: District's sporting success should be enjoyed

There have been winners abound on pitches, tracks, courts and in the pool delivering a feel-good factor felt throughout our communities.

To have both senior football teams gain promotion – and as champions – in the same season is quite an extraordinary feat.

Falkirk have done it as “the invincibles” being unbeaten in league one throughout the season, while Stenhousemuir are the history makers by taking the league two title for the first time in 140 years.

There was further accolades on Sunday evening when at the Scottish PFA awards, Falkirk’s John McGlynn was named manager of the year, while Callumn Morrison was selected as the top player in league one and Gregor Buchanan for league two. These awards are voted for by their peers making them doubly pleasing for the recipients.

Elsewhere in football, Dunipace are already promoted to the premier division in the East of Scotland and could still win the championship.

Former Falkirk footballer Craig Sibbald has also enjoyed success this season with Dundee United helping them win the Championship and lifting a clutch of trophies at their player of the year awards.

On the rugby pitch there was success for Falkirk when they were crowned league cup champions at Murrayfield and on the basketball court, Falkirk Fury has continued their success story with more accolades at different levels.

In the pool, Duncan Scott has secured his spot in the Paris Olympics, while on the track Falkirk Vics continue to go from strength to strength producing more fine athletes.

The success stories go on and on – apologies to all those not mentioned – but one thing is very clear that, whatever the sport and even at professional level, it would not happen without the hard-work and dedication of a band of volunteers.

We all know of people who turn up week after week to do their bit, whether it be coaching the possible stars of tomorrow, selling raffle tickets, washing kit or whatever, but without their input many of our sporting organisations would never exist.

These volunteers should also have their moment to enjoy the success.