FOR clubs, coaches and community sports people alike, the Devon Sports Awards is a prestigious annual event which celebrates their hard work and achievement across a number of different categories.

This year marks a special landmark for the Devon Sports Awards which are 20 years old. To celebrate, there will be a glittering awards ceremony at Sandy Park on June 30 with a sporting hero as guest speaker.

Nominations are now open and the organisers of the Awards, Active Devon, The Exeter Foundation and Exeter College are urging people to make sure that they use the opportunity to see their clubs, coaches, volunteers and sports stars celebrated and recognised.

“Over the last two decades the Devon Sports Awards have honoured more than 600 sports people, clubs, coaches and volunteers. They have helped countless thousands of people in Devon, of all ages and from all backgrounds, to get into sport, stay active or reach fantastic sporting heights,” said Matt Evans, Chief Executive of Active Devon.

“Although it is only possible to formally honour the select few finalists in each category the Devon Sports Awards is much bigger than that, it really is a celebration of all the unsung heroes who go out in all weathers, week-in-week-out to keep teams, clubs and activities running in Devon. You do a first rate job and we are truly grateful.”

If you would like to see a coach, club or volunteer honoured at this year’s event, nomination forms can be downloaded from the website: www.activedevon.org/dsa2017 .

Anybody can nominate someone who inspires them and every nomination will be carefully considered by an expert judging panel who come from all backgrounds and bring vast experience to the judging process.

“Each year the Devon Sports Awards aim to recognise as many people as possible who contribute to all levels of sport throughout Devon,” said Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation.

“The county has a proud sporting history and it is a privilege of the Exeter Foundation to be able to celebrate this and the bright future of sport in Devon.”

The 2017 categories are: Devon Coach of the Year; Devon Young Coach of the Year; Devon Volunteer of the Year; Devon Young Volunteer of the Year; Contribution to Inclusive Sport; Devon Club of the Year; Business Contribution to Sport in the Community; Business Contribution to Sporting Activity in the Workplace and Performances in Community Sport.

Sport has the power to change peoples lives and 2016 was a bumper year for landmark sporting events, so the Devon Sports Awards will have lots to celebrate.

The 2017 Awards see the introduction of some new award categories that recognise the increasing role and impact of businesses in helping their local community and their staff to get fit and active.

“Many top businesses recognise that taking care of the physical and mental health of your staff and contributing positively to the local community make sound business sense and are really practical ways of attracting the best employees,” said Matt Evans, from Active Devon.

“The new categories we are introducing this year are looking to find businesses that are leading the way and showing innovation.”

This year’s nominations are open throughout January, February and March and nomination information is available via the above website.

Alan Quick