Badminton Legend Morag McCulloch Honoured at Glasgow Sport Awards with Lifetime Achievement Award
In a heartwarming moment at the Glasgow Sport Awards, Badminton Scotland legend Morag McCulloch was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, a fitting recognition of her incredible contribution to the sport.
Morag’s journey in badminton began at just five years old, and her lifelong passion has left an indelible mark on the sport, both in Scotland and beyond. She first made her name playing with Glasgow Hotspur and Glasgow and North Strathclyde Region Group, but her contributions went far beyond the court. Over the years, Morag dedicated herself to helping others enjoy the game, volunteering tirelessly to promote and organize badminton events across the country.
Her legacy includes volunteering at multiple Commonwealth Games and lending her expertise to World and European Championships. These commitments were on top of her regular work with Badminton Scotland, with events and working closely with the Glasgow and North Strathclyde Regional Group to grow the sport at the grassroots level.
The award was first presented to Morag at the Scottish Open during the Badminton Scotland Awards by Commonwealth Medallist Kirsty Gilmour and European bronze Medallist Adam Hall, in a special ceremony surrounded by colleagues, players, and friends whose lives she has impacted. Glasgow Sport later honoured her again during their own awards evening.
When asked to share a few words upon receiving the award, Morag humbly said, “I wouldn’t have stayed in the sport so long if I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, so obviously I’ve enjoyed it if I’m still here!” In true Morag fashion, she had to be convinced to take just 10 minutes away from her refereeing duties to accept the honor and insisted someone take her place at the table before she stepped up.
Morag’s dedication has made badminton a family affair all the way to her Grandson Lewis Smith who was out in the European Junior Championships this week.
Morag McCulloch’s award serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact one person can have on a sport and its community. Congratulations to Morag on this well-deserved honor!
Photo credit: Spirit Tait