The Bedford Corn Exchange will once again play host as the Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards return for a 31st edition.
A total of 14 prizes are up for grabs across club, individual, school, volunteer and coach sectors with Bedford Borough Council hoping to beat last year’s record 125 nominees.
Nominations open on Monday, 28 September and the council are urging people in the sporting community of Bedford to get their thinking caps on to nominate those who have had a spectacular year in the sporting sphere.
The prize giving ceremony will take place on Monday, 7 December.
The number of awards equal last year’s at 14, and capped with the headline ‘Service to Sport’ award, which was won last year by Howard Darbon who has dedicated decades of time in Bedford across a number of different sports.
Read: Bedford celebrates sporting success at the 30th Sports and Physical Activity Awards
What are the categories?
Howard was one of 14 winners across multiple awards, with the same prizes up for grabs this time.
The categories include both adult and junior sports personality awards for both non-disabled and disability sports persons, making up four of the 14 awards.
Primary School of the Year and Secondary School of the Year are always highly contested affairs, while the team awards include Team of the Year, Club of the Year and the Community Club or Group Award.
Individual awards make up the rest, with the Community Person Award, Coach of the Year, the Young Volunteer of the Year, the Unsung Hero and the coveted Service to Sport award rounding off the night.
“This year’s awards are a fantastic opportunity to spotlight the commitment and passion of those who help sport and physical activity thrive in the Borough”, said Cllr John Wheeler (Conservative, Wootton and Kempston Rural), Portfolio Holder for Customer Experience.
“From community volunteers to schools and sporting personalities, now is the time to nominate your local sporting hero and celebrate their amazing achievements and impact on our communities”, he added.
Nominations open on Monday, 28 September, while the deadline for nominations is on Tuesday, 17 November.
To make a nomination or to find out more information, readers can visit www.bedford.gov.uk/sportsawards.
