Searching for sporting stars

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is on the look out to recognise sporting achievement and celebrate the huge amount of work that takes place within sport across the District.     

The District Council is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Sports Awards, which are to be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon on 18 January 2008.  

Working in partnership with the Stratford Herald, Sports and Leisure Management Ltd, The Holiday Inn and NFU Mutual, the District Council will be promoting the Annual Sports Awards to acknowledge the exploits of the District's sportsmen and women and their clubs.   The Awards' categories are open to all sports enthusiasts who are part of a club or school team living in the Stratford-on-Avon District.

There are nine official categories in which to be nominated:

• NFU Mutual Community Sports Award
• Individual Coach / P.E. Teacher  
• Junior Team
• Senior Sports Person  
• Service to Sport  
• Junior Sports Person  
• Senior Team  
• Alternative' Team award
• Club Volunteer / Administrator    

An additional category is also launched this year to recognise the dedication of our amateur press correspondents.

Anyone who you feel has made a significant contribution to raising the profile or their club's achievements should be nominated separately to the official form.  

All nominations must be returned to the District Council by 16 November 2007. An independent panel will then sit to decide the finalists and winner in each category.  

Anyone can make a nomination for any individual or team that they consider have had a significant year, either in terms of success or contribution to their sport or the community. The nominations need to demonstrate the reasons for the recommendation and why the person or team deserve to be rewarded. 

"We are committed to encouraging sports participation for all residents of the District.  The sports awards will highlight the dedication, expertise and achievements of individuals and teams," says Councillor Chris Williams, Portfolio Holder for Community Services.  

"There may be many residents of the District that deserve such an award and we would like people to nominate them so their exploits can be recognised."   Nomination forms are available from the Leisure Services Team at the District Council on 01789 260606 or 260646. Forms can also be downloaded from www.stratford.gov.uk