SPORTING success on the field of play at grassroots level simply could not happen without the tireless work of volunteers behind the scenes and the Unsung Hero award, sponsored by Active Trowbridge, celebrates three such stars from across the county.

Vince Marriott is revered at Trowbridge Basketball Club for his contribution to the sport, both in the town and county as a whole.

After founding the club and running youth sessions, Marriott has dedicated countless hours to any talented youngsters who are willing to improve. He also coaches the Bristol Flyers U12 team – a breeding ground for BBL stars of the future.

Marriott has organised many events for charity, including the Matt Bromley Award at the SGS Wise Campus in Bristol and a hoops for Haiti event that raised funds for those affected by the earthquake.

He created the Trowbridge Basketball League in 2017 and, even in his absence due to ill health and undergoing heart surgery over the past year, remains an inspiration to all who have worked with him.

Di Viles has played an integral role at Team Bath Athletics Club since 1974 and, as she enters her 70th year, is more important to its members than ever.

She initially joined the club more than four decades ago after supporting her two daughters from the sidelines but was soon persuaded to help out with training sessions. Known for her frankness and heart of gold, Viles has been active in a number of major changes since, with the club initially known as Percy AC and then City of Bath AC before a move to the University of Bath brought about its current guise as Team Bath AC.

Viles has served for many years as a committee member and track and field secretary, working non-stop in her pursuit of excellence for the athletes who compete for the club. The highlight arrived when Bath Bullet Jason Gardener struck Olympic relay gold in Athens in 2004.

She can be seen every Tuesday and Thursday evening in her role as high jump coach and one of her recent discoveries, Tom Gale, has been selected for the England Commonwealth Games team.

Wiltshire Judo Association chairman Philip Mayberry has been involved with the sport for 41 years, spending the past 22 in his current role and leading the county team to many team titles during a dozen served as its coach.

After starting out as an active player, winning a British Masters medal, the 2nd Dan has worked with players at Perham and Castle Down in his capacity as a British Judo Association (BJA) club coach and is now the president of Marlborough and Pewsey JC and financial officer for the BJA Western Area.

Despite his heavy work commitments as a senior civilian officer in the Ministry of Defence, Mayberry always found time to organise competitions, training and grading events before personally attending them across the county.

On his retirement from work three years ago Mayberry was stricken with a terminal degenerative illness but this has not restricted his commitment to judo in the county and he continues in his duties despite his restricted mobility and complex health needs.

The 2017 Wiltshire Sports Awards, set up by the Swindon Advertiser, Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times in conjunction with Wiltshire & Swindon Sport (WASP).

Newsquest Wiltshire group sports editor Owen Houlihan, WASP CEO Steve Boocock and 1968 Olympic 400m hurdles champion David Hemery will meet in January to decide the award winners.

All the winners will be announced at the Corn Exchange celebration ceremony at the end of January, which will include an audience with 1985 World Snooker champion and now-television commentator Dennis Taylor, who will be guest speaker.

The evening will be a celebration of all of the winners for all of the categories, and tickets are available priced at £15 per adult and £9 per child, to include a buffet.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Ian Parker on 01793 501731 or email wiltshiresportsawards@newsquest.co.uk.