NOMINATIONS are being sought for clubs, coaches, athletes and volunteers in the 2014 Wiltshire Sports Awards.

The awards, now in their fifth year, have 12 categories which recognise and honour the work and achievements of athletes, sports clubs, volunteers and coaches across Wiltshire.

They are sponsored by Landmarc and are being hosted jointly by Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Health Improvement Partnership and Wiltshire and Swindon Sport.

The top three from each category will be invited to attend a special awards event at The Atrium, County Hall, in Trowbridge on October 22, hosted by former England rugby captain Phil de Glanville.

Anyone can nominate a Wiltshire individual or organisation for one of the 12 categories from today (June 2) until the closing date of Friday, August 1.

This year’s categories are:

Sports Personality of the Year

Young Sports Personality of the Year

Sports Personality of the Year (athlete with a disability)

Unsung Hero of the Year

Long Service to Sport award

Young Volunteer of the Year

Coach of the Year (voluntary)

Coach of the Year (professional)

Inclusion Coach of the Year

Young Coach of the Year

Sports Club/Team of the Year

Most Inclusive Club of the Year

Among last year's winners was Tom North - the Young Volunteer of the Year.

The 19 year old, from Chippenham, had spent three years volunteering as a young leader in both school and clubs, working on the Let's Kick Racism Out of Football programme, including refereeing, assisting with the registration of teams, and setting venues.

He also volunteers with the Bath Rugby Foundation and Chippenham Rugby Club and, since winning, has become an apprentice at Active Trowbridge – a group which delivers community sport coaching.

Devizes Tennis Club Jonnie Crowley won the Young Coach of the year category in 2013, while Trowbridge's Andrew Evans was official of the year in 2013 and has now progressed from Level 5 Senior County Football Referee to Level 4, and is a referee at semi-professional games.

Jonathon Seed, cabinet member for leisure said: “We have some exciting sporting talent in Wiltshire and this is an opportunity to recognise their achievements but also to turn the spotlight on the many unsung heroes whose tireless enthusiasm keeps so many clubs alive in Wiltshire.

"Sport plays a major part in improving our health and sense of wellbeing and we hope these awards will inspire more people to take up sport.”

De Glanville said: “I’m delighted to be hosting the Wiltshire Sports Awards again this year. Having seen previous winners’ responses as they step up to receive their award I know first-hand how much formal recognition means to them. I’d encourage people to nominate now so we can celebrate more of Wiltshire’s sporting heroes.”

The awards criteria can be downloaded from the website and nominations made online at wiltshire.gov.uk/sportsawards. Queries can be emailed to sportsawards@wiltshire.gov.uk.

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