NOMINATIONS for the 2024 Ards and North Down Sports Awards are due to open ahead of the annual gala ceremony in the new year.
The aim of the Sports Awards is to recognise, promote and reward local sporting achievements of teams and individuals across the Ards and North Down borough. Schools, sports clubs, and members of the public are encouraged to nominate their sporting stars from this year.
Whether it is someone you admire for their passion in sport, someone who has inspired you, instilled great confidence in you or your child, or perhaps given up a lot of their free time to help in a sports club – there are many reasons why you can nominate that sporting star who has made an impact on you.
Nominations are being sought from schools, sports clubs, individuals and members of the public. They will open at 12pm on Friday, November 29 and close at 12pm on Friday, January 10. Nomination forms will be available for download from www.leisureardsandnorthdown.com/sports-development/awards or by contacting the Sports Development team on: 0300 013 3333 (ext. 40341) or at: sportsawards@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel on Friday, March 21. Broadcaster Denise Watson will once again host the evening.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alistair Cathcart, said: “The Sports Awards provide a fantastic way for us to recognise the wealth of sporting talent and achievement in Ards and North Down, from grassroots level through to the highest echelons of sport.
“Our borough has produced many world class athletes, top level coaches and award winning sports teams, not to mention countless volunteers, and the Sports Awards provide an opportunity for them to be recognised for their efforts and achievements.”
This year’s nomination categories are:
Sports Person of the Year sponsored by Mervyn Stewart Skoda
Sports Person of the Year U18 sponsored by Prestige Trophies
Sports Person of the Year U15 sponsored by Exploris
Sports Team of the Year sponsored by Progressive Building Society
U18 Junior Sports Team of the Year sponsored by Newtownards Saturday Market Traders
U15 Junior Sports Team of the Year sponsored by Ards Suicide Awareness Group
Sports Coach of the Year sponsored by Echlinville Distillery
Volunteer of the Year in memory of Alderman Menagh
Lifetime Service Recognition sponsored by the Mayor of Ards and North Down
Wall of Fame Inductee sponsored by Ards and North Down Sports Forum
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Photo caption: Councillor Joe Boyle (vice-chair, Ards and North Down Sports Forum); Denise Watson (broadcaster and event host); Mayor Alistair Cathcart and Karen Rollo (chair, Ards and North Down Sports Forum) at the launch of the 2024 Ards and North Down Sports Awards. Image: Graham Baalham-Curry.
