Nominations are now open for the Active Essex Sports Awards, an annual event that celebrates the outstanding achievements of sporting organisations and individuals.
Based on the great response last year, public votes have returned for three of the 11 categories which recognise talent from grassroots to elite level, including the ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ award for an athlete who has made a significant impact on sports and physical activity in Essex.
Last year the category was won by Olympic champion Max Whitlock, of South Essex Gymnastics Club, who became the first-ever British gymnast to successfully defend his world title with a faultless pommel routine at the 2017 World Gymnastics Championships.
This year Max steps to the other side of the podium to present the Young Sports Personality of the Year award at the ceremony at Chelmsford City Racecourse in December.
Max said: “I have a special affinity with this category as it can be a tough road starting out in your chosen sport – and I’ve been lucky to have great support throughout my career. I encourage everyone to nominate somebody they believe deserves recognition.”
The other two awards to be decided by public vote are the Disabled Sports Personality of the Year and Unsung Hero categories.
Azeem Akhtar, Chair of Active Essex, said: “The annual sports awards highlight those making outstanding contributions to sport and physical activity across our county and are inspiring others to get active. We’d like to see as many nominations as possible this year.”
Essex enjoyed lots of fantastic sporting feats from local athletes this summer, including at the Commonwealth Games, European Athletics Championships, and World Para Athletics European Championships.
Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Sport and Physical Activity, said: “The Active Essex Sports Awards are not only a great platform for showcasing the intense training all athletes put in, but also the tremendous amount of work that goes into promoting sport in the county.
“There are plenty of categories to choose from and local people are going to be spoilt for choice with the amount of talent Essex has to offer – I’d encourage everyone to make a nomination.”
Nominations can be made via https://www.activeessex.org/sports-awards-2018 before 21st October 2018.
- Active in the Workplace
- Changing lives through sport and physical activity – sponsored by Fusion Lifestyle
- Coach of the Year – sponsored by Everyone Active
- Community Club of the Year – sponsored by Genesis PR
- Disabled Sports Personality of the Year
- Education Champion of the Year – sponsored by Jump Street
- Services to Inclusive Sport
- Sports Personality of the Year – sponsored by Chelmsford City Racecourse
- Unsung Hero – sponsored by Spotlight Sound
- Young Sports Personality of the Year
- Young Volunteer
The 2018 Active Essex Sports Awards will be presented at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Wednesday 5th December.