Buckie Ladies goalkeeper Sophia Golebiewski wins ‘Parro’ award for dedication after brother Adam’s horrific injuries
An award-winning goalkeeper has been honoured for her dedication despite her brother being seriously injured in a car crash.
Buckie Ladies recently held their annual awards evening where the high achievers from last season in both the senior and development sides of the club were recognised for the hard work and commitment.
Among the silverware was Sophia Golebiewski, from Banff, who has helped the club win both league and cup titles in the Highlands and Islands League. She was presented with the David ‘Parro’ Findlay Memorial Award, which is awarded to the player who shows great commitment to the team and gives that bit above and beyond.
It was created to honour the memory of the inspirational football coach and former Buckie Ladies manager who passed away suddenly on December 2017.
Sophia kept the focus on her performances, which helped take Buckie to retaining their League Cup crown and within an ace of winning the league, despite the family trauma of her brother Adam - who was also a goalkeeper, playing for Deveronside - losing both legs in a car accident last September.
The girls section of the Parro award was also emotional, being won by his niece Lilly Findlay.
Presenting the awards was Buckie Ladies coach and former manager Laura Duncan.
She said: “Both Sophia and Lilly hugely deserve their awards.
“Sophia has had so much to deal with over the last few months but her commitment has been first class, she’s been inspirational.
“Lilly, who was in the under-14s last year and now pays for the under-16 and ladies teams, has total commitment to football. She never misses training or a game.
“Congratulations got to all the award winners for what they’ve given to the club.”
Speaking after the ceremony, Sophia said: “It feels good [to win this award], it shows my dedication.
“It was a big surprise to win!
“I never worked or trained with Parro as I only joined Buckie Ladies three years ago, but my team-mates speak very highly of him.
““I understand the commitment of Parro to Buckie Ladies, so I work harder and train harder for my brother Adam, who was also a goalkeeper. His goalkeeper career is now over after he lost both legs in a car crash.
“The week after Adam’s accident Buckie Ladies played in the League Cup final and I wore his goalie gloves for him. He was part of me throughout the game and we went on to win.”
Sophia and Lilly were presented with their awards by Parro’s brother, Allen.
Senior team awards: Top Goalscorer - Jess Moore; Players’ Player and Goal of the Season - Rheo Laurenson; Most Improved Player - Olivia Wood; Most Improved - Gillian Mearns; Coaches’ Player - Alicia Paterson; Supporters’ Player and Young Player of the Year - Skye Milne; Manager’s Player - Rebecca McMillan & Gemma Geddes. David ‘Parro’ Findlay Memorial - Sophia Golebiewski.
Under-14 girls awards: Top Goalscorer - Maia Kirby; Most Improved (over the year) - Lana Jade Simpson; Most Improved (over a short time with a big impact) - Katie Leith; Playmaker - Cassi Smith; Team Player - Abbie Costello; Player's Player Damo Memorial - Lola Clark; Coaches’ Player - Lilly Mackie; Manager’s Player - Lana Jade Simpson; David ‘Parro’ Findlay Memorial - Lilly Findlay; Zoe Geddes Memorial - Lola Clark.
The girls section finished a very creditable third in their league.
The award-winners in both sections were selected by the relevant coaching teams.
