Nominate your local sporting heroes
Nominations are being invited for the 3rd 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 nominate the best of the District’s sporting talent as the build-up starts to the big award ceremony on Thursday 2nd December.The awards, which are sponsored by Wild Sports, will be presented at a ceremony in Winchester Guildhall.
Last year’s celebrity host was Olympic swimmer Julia Beckett and a presentation was given by Rod Carr, the Royal Yachting Association Chief Executive. The awards aim to recognise publicly the commitment and excellence of coaches, volunteers, sportsmen and sportswomen across the Winchester District.
Last year, nominations were received from Winchester Canoe Club, Hampshire Thrashers American Football Club, Winchester and District Athletics Club, Winchester Rugby Club, Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club, Winchester Gymnastics Club, Winchester Hockey Club, St Cross Symondians Cricket Club, South Wonston Table Tennis Club, Itchen Valley Shooting Club, Winchester City Basketball Club, and Denmead Tennis Club.
It is hoped that many more clubs and organisations will take the opportunity to submit nominations 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)
Official (Male or Female)
Service to Sport (Male or Female)
Team (Junior & Senior)
Club of the Year
The awards will be for achievements during the sporting year of 2010, 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 Lucille Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Active Communities at Winchester City Council, said: ”This is a perfect opportunity for us to support and celebrate the achievements of sports people from across our district. We have many sports clubs within our local communities and this event is a great chance to really show appreciation for those who put so much time and effort into their sports and their local community”.
Stuart Barlow, Chair of Winchester District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance, added: “Last year we had a fantastic evening celebrating the successes of local sports people, but this year we would like to celebrate even more achievements. With the Olympics only two years away, there is a great deal happening and this event provides clubs and individuals with a platform to show how much they have done in the last year."
The closing date for entries is Monday 11th October 2010.
Download a nomination from the Winchester & District Sport and Physical Activity Alliance website at www.winchesterspaa.org.uk or, alternatively, you can nominate online by going to Winchester City Council’s ‘Do It Online’ pages at www.winchester.gov.uk and selecting Winchester Sports Awards.
Entry forms, along with further details, can be obtained by contacting Hannah Bone on 01962 848 231 or hebone@winchester.gov.uk.