NOMINATIONS for the prestigious Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards are now open and Active Devon and The Exeter Foundation who jointly stage and promote the event are expecting a deluge of nominations.

The awards not only celebrate the players, but the clubs and teams, the coaches, the officials and the volunteers who help people to succeed.  

This year organisers are keen that an even wider cross section of sport in Devon, both at community and elite level, is recognised.

Therefore, in a change to the way team and individual performances are recognised in sport, nominations are this year invited for "Outstanding Performances in Sport".

Submissions can be sent in for any level of sport, and regardless of how many people play.

With 13 categories in total, even more people across the county are eligible to apply and Active Devon is urging people to fill in a nomination form to ensure as many sports people as possible get the opportunity to be acknowledged and rewarded.

The categories for nomination are: Outstanding Performances in Community Sport, Outstanding Performances in Elite Sport, Devon Coach of the Year, Devon Young Coach OTY, Devon Club OTY, Contribution to Inclusive Sport, Devon Volunteer OTY and Devon Young Volunteer OTY.

Award organisers are urging sports clubs, players, officials and coaches across the county to make their nominations before the closing date of March 1.

The new format nomination form can be downloaded from the Active Devon website at: http://www.activedevon.org/sportsawards2015">www.activedevon.org/sportsawards2015 and can be completed online, posted, or emailed to Active Devon.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, May 8 at Sandy Park, Exeter.