Douglas Ross walked away with a top award for his sporting endeavours last year.

And despite recent injury, he is still one of Scotland's most promising gymnasts.

But the time has come to honour another season of top Scottish athletes as nominations open for Sportsperson Of The Year 2012.

In the year of the Olympics and Paralympics, excitement is as high as ever as preparations begin for the ceremony to reward those who work tirelessly in the sporting community.

Nominations are open for 13 categories, including Evening Times' Glasgow Disabled Athlete Of The Year, Evening Times' Glasgow Young Sportsperson Of The Year and Evening Times' Glasgow Volunteer Of The Year – as well as the top prize of Sportsperson Of The Year.

Last year, 18-year-old Douglas, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, was named Evening Times' Glasgow Young Sportsperson Of The Year for his achievements.

He said: "I never expected anything like that, it was just nice to get some recognition for all the years of hard work.

"The awards are good because they let sportsmen and women get some recognition, because some people don't see what they do."

Douglas, who competes in the floor, vault, pommel horse, rings and parallel bars events, followed his sister Caitlin, 20, into gymnastics. He was five at the time and in 2005 he joined the City Of Glasgow Gymnastics Club.

In 2006 he entered the Glasgow School Of Sport, and is now studying for an NQ (National Qualification) in sport at Langside College, as well as training 25 hours a week.

In September he became a full-time athlete and has his sights set on making the Scottish team for Glasgow 2014.

He said: "I like flipping around and enjoyed taking out my energy and having a play around with different moves. I never really expected to get very far. I love the sport, I wouldn't change for anything."

Douglas is recovering from soft tissue damage, and has suffered various injuries over the last couple of years, including back problems and bruised heels.

He said: "I have 2014 in the back of my mind and that is my main goal. It is what I want to push towards, so that is what keeps me going.

"It would be an amazing experience to perform in front of a home crowd and it is something athletes will not want to miss if they have an opportunity to make it.

"I think I have a good chance (of making the team) but anything can happen."

In 2010 Douglas captained the Scotland team that went to the UK School Games and in November he was selected to go to the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle Of Man, where he won a gold medal in the vault – he says that medal is his greatest achievement.

A week later he was crowned British Junior Vault Champion at the British Men's Artistic Championships.

Last weekend he performed at the new Emirates Arena, where he qualified for the Vault Final, being sixth overall, and has plans to watch the Glasgow World Cup Gymnastics in December.

He said: "The venue is amazing, it is a lot bigger than I expected, the crowd was huge and I enjoyed it."

Councillor Archie Graham, chairman of Glasgow Life and council spokesman for the Commonwealth Games, said picking this year's top award winner after such an impressive year for Scottish sport was going to be "no mean feat".

He said: "Like millions of people, I am in awe of the outstanding contribution our sports stars have made to this particularly memorable year of sporting success.

"There were 55 Scots who performed as part of Team GB at the Olympics, winning 13 medals. So picking this year's Sports Person Of The Year is going to be no mean feat, but one we are very much looking forward to.

"What is hugely important about these awards is they provide an opportunity to recognise everyone involved in Scottish sport, across all levels.

"That range includes coaches working tirelessly to introduce the next generation of youngsters to the joy of sport, or one of the city's home grown talents, such as swimmer Michael Jamieson, who has risen through the ranks of the Glasgow School Of Sport and gone on to win silver at the Olympics.

"Sport plays such a positive, pivotal role in so many ways in Glasgow.

"I would urge people to nominate that person who makes a difference in their club, community or in inspiring the country to believe in the power of sport and push on to ensure those benefits are brought about."

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk

THE CATEGORIES

n Evening Times Glasgow Disabled Athlete Of The Year:

A person who has shown outstanding commitment and performance.

n Service To Sport – Lifetime Achievement Award:

A person who has shown outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in their support of sport over a considerable period.

n Glasgow Team Of The Year:

An age group or senior team that has achieved a high level of performance.

n Evening Times' Glasgow Young Sportsperson Of The Year:

A junior displaying outstanding performance in their sport.

n Glasgow Club Of The Year:

A club that has contributed to the development of sport in their community or city-wide.

n Glasgow Primary Sports School Of The Year:

A primary that has enhanced the sporting provision in the school.

n Glasgow Secondary Sports School Of The Year:

A secondary that has enhanced sporting provision in their school.

n Glasgow Student Athlete Of The Year, sponsored by Strathclyde University:

A student who has displayed outstanding performance in their sport.

n Glasgow Coach

Of The Year:

An individual who has shown an outstanding commitment to coaching and further development of athletes in their sport.

n Evening Times' Glasgow Volunteer Of The Year:

A volunteer who has made an invaluable contribution to sport within their club or community.

n Leader's Special Award:

The winner will be chosen by the City Council Leader each year in the lead-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

n Lord Provost's Award:

The winner will be selected from award nominees in any category.

n Sports Person Of The Year

You are invited to nominate a personality who, in your opinion, has given the most outstanding performance during 2012.