Sporting stars are given a chance to shine at the Dacorum Sports Awards

The search is on for the borough’s sporting stars as Sportspace, Dacorum Sports Trust – in partnership with the Gazette – are once again launching the annual Dacorum Sports Awards.
The reigning Dacorum Sports Awards champions with MP Mike PenningThe reigning Dacorum Sports Awards champions with MP Mike Penning
The reigning Dacorum Sports Awards champions with MP Mike Penning

The hunt has begun for talented sporting individuals, teams and clubs in the local area – and now is their chance to receive the recognition they deserve.

As well as highlighting those that actively participate in sport, the awards are also an excellent opportunity to reward the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes in a coaching, administrative or official role.

Amanda Colwill, Sportspace sports development director, said: “We have a huge amount of sporting talent locally and the awards enable us to acknowledge and highlight this.

“As an organisation, our ethos is that sport and recreation should be available to the whole community, whatever your age or level of ability.

“By raising the profile of the awards we hope to improve awareness of the excellent local sporting opportunities and achievements, and encourage more people to get involved.”

The Sportspace sports development team are behind the organisation of the Dacorum Sports Awards but they need local people to get involved to make the awards a success.

Any award ceremony is only as good as the quality of nominations so the organisers are calling on all local clubs, teams and individuals to support the event and send their nominations in. Nomination forms are available from www.sportspace.co.uk and the deadline for nominations is Friday, June 5.

The award categories are:

> Sports Person of the Year - A person who has shown great sportsmanship, motivation and determination in their chosen sport. Has displayed an outstanding level of personal achievement at district, county, regional or national level. Aged 19 or over on December 31, 2014.

> Club of the Year - A club that has made a substantial contribution to the local community. Is likely to have achieved or be working to achieve Clubmark or similar club accreditation. Will have committed coaches and volunteers. The club performers may not necessarily be competing at a high level.

> Contribution to Disability Sport - Awarded to a volunteer, athlete, group or club who have significantly contributed to developing disability sport.

> Team of the Year - A team of two or more people who have achieved success in their chosen sport at district, county, regional or national level. A team who have shown commitment, motivation, determination and sportsmanship throughout their season.

> Community Coach of the Year - A qualified coach who has made a major contribution to the lives of people through their coaching. Creates a positive environment and is a role model for those they are coaching.

> The Maureen Flint Rising Star Award - Aged 18 or under on December 31, 2014. Has shown great sportsmanship, motivation and determination in their chosen sport. Displays an outstanding level of personal achievement at district, county, regional or national level with potential for the future.

> Junior Community Coach of the Year (U21) - Aged U21 on December 31, 2014. Qualified as a sports leader or coach. Committed to developing themselves as a coach and to helping others to improve. A positive role model for participants.

> Volunteer of the Year - An individual who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to sport in any capacity. This can include as an administrator or official.

> The DSN Lifetime Sporting Achievement Award - Awarded to an individual or group who have made a major impact on sport in Dacorum during their lifetime.

The awards presentation night will be held on Friday, June 19 at The Par3 Suite at Little Hay Golf Complex. For more information, please call the Sportspace sports development team on 01442 507155 or contact [email protected]