IT is a special night for everyone involved.

But for one coach and one athlete at the Sports Person of the Year Awards there will be an extra air of competition.

Scottish World Champion wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn is on the shortlist for the Evening Times Disabled Athlete of the Year Award.

And she will be joined on the night by her coach Ian Mirfin, who is vying for Glasgow Coach of the Year.

Ian said: "I have coached Sammi since she started the sport in late 2011.

"She is a unique individual, a very talented young woman who will have an enormously successful life whatever she does.

"Sometimes as a coach you are lucky.

"I’m pleased to be nominated and will be attending on the night, I’ve been a few times before and it is always a great night.

"Glasgow does sporting events and recognition of sport at all levels really well.

"I think it’s always nice to be recognised for what you do but it isn’t why you do it at the end of the day - what I like about the Glasgow Awards is that it isn’t just about elite sport, in many ways the community level work is far more important."

Ian, who has been honoured by the Queen for his work in sport, started out in disability sport in 1982 in Maryhill working with adults with learning disabilities.

In 1990 he and his wife, Janice Eaglesham, founded Red Star AC.

Ian, from Cambuslang, said: "I was still actively involved in sport myself, kicking a football and doing some running and was able to bring some of this activity into my working life with some of the people attending the day centre.

"One athlete whom I coached at that time, Jean McGurk, became a world medallist in high jump and hurdles and received the Lord Provosts Award in Glasgow.

"When we had some young wheelchair athletes come along [to Red Star AC] someone had to find out about that sport - that was me.

"One of those young athletes, Karen Lewis-Archer, went on to become a world champion and world record holder.

"Our most recent success story has been Sammi, double world champion and world 200m record holder in London in 2017."

The 58-year-old is now Paralympic lead with Scottish Athletics and he identifies and works with performance athletes on the route to the Paralympics.

Ian added: "In Rio we had six athletes from Scotland on the team returning with three gold, two silver and two bronze medals as well as a world record.

"We have three athletes competing in Commonwealth games in Australia this year."

Tomorrow night at Glasgow City Chambers student athletes, volunteers, coaches as well as communities will all be recognised.

St Rose of Lima Primary School is back on the shortlist again for Primary Sports School of the Year joined by St Brigid's and St Benedict's.

For Secondary Sports School of the Year 2017 John Paul Academy is shortlisted alongside St Mungo's Academy, Shawlands Academy and Whitehill Secondary.

The Evening Times Glasgow Young Sportsperson of the Year 2017 sees Corey MacLachlan, Lewis Stewart, Gerry McTaggart and Daniel Richardson feature.

Camilla Hattersley, Andrew Brown and Jack Mc-Comish are all shortlisted for Glasgow Student Athlete of the Year 2017.

Year of Young People Glasgow - Young Volunteer of the Year 2017 sees Morgan Buik, Dean Thornton and Ryan Morell selected.

The Evening Times Glasgow Volunteer of the Year 2017 shortlist includes Gina Duffy, Tom Buik and Abdul Bostani.

In the Evening Times Disabled Athlete of the Year Award 2017 Martin Perry joins Samantha Kinghorn and Robert Barr.

Glasgow Coach of the Year 2017sees Ian Mirfin MBE, Terry McLernon MBE, Ian Wright and Derek Forsyth.

Glasgow Community Project of the Year 2017 features United Glasgow FC, St Angela's Participation Centre and Free Wheel North on the list.

Gladiator Weightlifting Club, St Angela's Participation Centre, Drumchapel Table Tennis Club and Glasgow Disability Tennis Club are shortlisted for Glasgow Club of the Year 2017.

And 2018 European Championships Glasgow Team of the Year Award 2017 finalists feature the Scottish Men's Hockey Team, Drumchapel Table Tennis and Hillhead Jordanhill Women's Rugby Team.

David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow Life’s Sports Person of the Year Awards is one of the most important annual events in the Glasgow calendar.

"We applaud sport involvement and achievement at every level - from grassroots to the greatest sporting performances of the year.

“Every nominee who will be there tomorrow night has contributed something to Glasgow’s sporting excellence, whether that’s through winning medals for the country, or coaching a local club and inspiring the next generation of athletes.

“Our Sports Person of the Year Awards give us a chance to recognise the incredible efforts made by athletes, coaches and volunteers across Scotland.”