Nominations are now being invited for the 2^nd Annual Sports Awards for the Winchester District.

The Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA) is asking local sports clubs, community organisations and residents to name the best of the District’s sporting talent as the build-up starts to the big award ceremony on Thursday 3 December.

The awards, which are sponsored by Wild Sports, will be presented at a ceremony in Winchester Guildhall.  Last year’s celebrity presenter was Olympic swimmer Julia Beckett.   The awards – which were presented in front of a packed house in 2008 - aim to recognise publicly the commitment and excellence of coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen across the Winchester District. 

Last year nominations were received from Saucony Netball Club, Hampshire RFU, Winchester and District Athletics Club, Winchester Rugby Club, Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club, Winchester Hockey Club, Team Lightning Trampoline Club & Just Jump (Disability) Trampolining, Hampshire Hornets Basketball Club, Winchester City Basketball Club, Spitfire Taekwondo Partnership, Winchester Netball Club and Littleton Tennis Club. It is hoped that many more clubs and organisations will take the opportunity to submit nominations as the awards move into their second year, to reward those individuals and teams who commit so much of their time to sport in the District. 

Nominations for awards will be considered in the following categories:

Junior Sportsman & Junior Sportswoman
Under 18 years of age

Senior Sportsman & Senior Sportswoman
18 years or over

Master Sportsman & Master Sportswoman
40 years of age or over

Junior Disability Sportsman & Sportswoman
Under 18 years of age

Senior Disability Sportsman & Sportswoman
18 years or over

Coach of the Year (male or female)

No age criteria

Volunteer of the Year (junior & senior)

Team (junior & senior)

Official (male or female)

Service to Sport (male or female)

The awards will be for achievements during the sporting year of 2009, with the exception of Service to Sport which will be for service, coaching, officiating or volunteering over a number of years.

All nominees must either be resident within the Winchester District or registered to, or working with, clubs based in the Winchester District .  All entries must be supported by a written statement of no more than 200 words, explaining why you think the nominee deserves this recognition.

Cllr Patricia Stallard, who is Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Sport at Winchester City Council and also the District’s 2012 Champion, sai, “We are delighted to be supporting the Winchester District Sports Awards. The success of Britain’s athletes at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games demonstrates the importance of supporting and encouraging sports from a local level.  The awards are one of a number of projects marking Winchester’s commitment to the London Games in 2012. I hope they may even prove to be a stepping stone to future success for some of the many talented sportspeople living in the District.”

Stuart Barlow, Chair of the SPAA, added,  “These awards will recognise the achievements and efforts of Winchester’s top sportspeople. It’s also an opportunity to show our appreciation for those who have put so much personal time and effort into helping others to get involved in sport.”  

The closing date for entries is Thursday 8 October 2009.

Download a nomination form
Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Winchester & District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance website on www.wdsp.co.uk/spaa/winchester_district_sports_awards

Request a nomination form
Entry forms, along with further details, can be obtained by contacting Hannah Bone on 01962 848 231 or hebone@winchester.gov.uk.