MEMBERS of the community are being urged to put forward candidates who they feel deserve recognition for their sporting achievement and dedication to sport at this year’s Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sports Awards.
The annual event takes place on November 9 at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium and will once again be attended by hundreds of amateur and professional sports people, local businesses and dignitaries.
And The Sports Partnership Herefordshire & Worcestershire is urging members of the community to make their nominations ahead of the deadline on September 25 (11.59pm).
“This event is our chance to honour our local sports men and women, coaches, volunteers, clubs and officials,” said Stephen Brewster, Director of The Sports Partnership.
“Over the years, we’ve received such huge support for the awards and feel it’s important the local community get their say on who’s made an impact on sport, young people and local communities.
“Recognising sporting achievements and celebrating good practice within the sporting community is at the very heart of what we do and we will be championing the hard work and talent that exists within Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”
Herefordshire and Worcestershire award winners will receive a ‘golden ticket’ into the West Midlands Community Sports Awards to be held at the end of November.
There are many other award categories for nominations including new awards: BBC Power of Sport and the Sports School of the Year.
Worcester St John’s Cycling Club member Alec Davies was winner of the ‘Unsung Hero’ award in 2015.
The 92-year-old, who had been the timekeeper for cycling club for 43 years, went on to win the BBC Midlands Unsung Hero that same year.
“You don’t expect to be awarded anything at my age is I’m very pleased,” said Alec after winning his award last year.
“I joined the club in 1972 when we only had about 8 or 10 members, and now we have well over 100 members so I’ve seen it go from practically nothing to the great club that it is now.
“To be perfectly honest I think the club deserve the plaudits for this award as they were behind my original nomination. So I’d like to thank the club for putting me forward.”
Alec was recognised for his dedication and achievement to his sport after being an integral member of Worcester St Johns Cycling Club for the previous 43 years, where he officiated at every cycling event at the club.
Following winning the BBC Midlands Unsung Hero, Alec was put forward for the national BBC Unsung Hero of the year, and attended the event in Belfast last December.
He continued: “Providing my health keeps up I will continue to volunteer on a Tuesday night at the time trial events and going to as many other cycling events as I can persuade people to take me.
“Unfortunately, I can’t ride out to events anymore so I have to rely on people to take me, but that just goes to show the club spirit as I never have the slightest problem in finding someone who is prepared to take me out to various events, it’s a great club spirit.”
There are still many sponsorship opportunities available, including headline sponsor, hospitality sponsor and award category sponsors. Please contact Sarah Mackay on [email protected] for further information.