Celebrating the power of sport

Entries are now being judged for the BBC Power of Sport Award, supported by Sport England - an opportunity to celebrate grassroots sporting projects that have really changed people’s lives.

The prestigious award is being contested in all 12 BBC regions for the first time.

This is an award that will recognise sustainable projects that have increased the number of people taking part, as well as those that are tackling some of the issues facing grassroots sport, including:

• the drop-off in participation after school age
• under-represented groups such as disabled people, black and minority ethnic groups, women and older people
• communities with poor access to sport.

The award has already been run successfully in the West Midlands for two years. Last year’s winner was Active Meadowlands, a project which has transformed the sporting opportunities on offer in a disadvantaged area of Coventry which previously had no outdoor sports provision.

"Sport is a powerful social force in our communities, helping to improve and inspire people to achieve great things,” said BBC English Regions Controller, David Holdsworth. “The BBC is delighted to be associated with this award, and looks forward to sharing some of the stories with our audiences on TV, radio and online."

An independent judging panel is assessing the entries for each region and winners will be announced on the relevant BBC local radio and regional television programmes in late November and early December. Presentations will be made at BBC regional sports award events where they are taking place.