Sport England

The Nation's Biggest Supporter

Sport legend Steve Cram Calls for Sports Awards Nominations

Local sporting champions and enthusiasts will be recognised for their achievements and contributions to sport at this year’s North East Sports Awards. And the search is now on to find entrants for the community awards that will be presented on the night.

The already iconic Sunderland Aquatic Centre will host the the region’s biggest awards ceremony in the sporting calendar on Sunday 7 December and many sporting stars are set to join the celebrations poolside including Steve Cram, Jack Charlton, Gareth Southgate and bronze medalists in Beijing Hazel Simpson and Matthew Wells.

The Award ceremony promises to be more exciting than ever before. Presented by Look North’s Jeff Brown and Carol Malia it is once again sponsored by One NorthEast and organised by Sport England North East, Sunderland City Council and the BBC.

Steve Cram, patron of the North East Sports Awards and chair of the judging panel said: “I never cease to be amazed by the wealth of talent in the North East and the unbounded passion for sport. Each year the quality of nominations increase and the final decisions are harder to reach. I am sure this year will be no exception and we want nominations by the bag full!

“You are sure to know of someone without whom your sport would not be the same. Someone who goes that extra mile. Someone who embodies North East Sporting passion. I urge you to take a few moments and complete the form as this is your opportunity to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.”

Awards up for grabs include Team of the Year and Ralph Hindle Support to Sport, and the coveted Sport Personality of the Year. The nominees are studied by a select panel of judges, before the winners are presented in front of over 300 sporting VIPS at the event.

Last year, Sunderland AFC manager Roy Keane took home the Sports Personality of the Year award for securing promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland AFC and for his outstanding performance during 2007.

Other winners included Dame Tanni Gray-Thompson who was presented with the Jackie Milburn Award for her outstanding contribution to sport on an international, national and local level, Paul Collingwood who went away with the Performance of the Year and Gateshead Harriers Coach John Stephenson who was presented with the Coach of the Year. While a number of unsung heroes – those working tirelessly behind the scenes of sport in the region were also recognised.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director with Sport England North East, said: “The North East Sports Awards are one of the few celebrations where those who work behind the scenes of grass root sport are recognised on the same stage as world champions and Olympic and Paralympic medallists. 2008 has been an exciting year with the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing proving to be the most successful on record for Team GB. The North East also has a lot to shout about in its contribution to the great medal haul, not least the 9 medals that athletes associated with the region brought home. With this legacy and an eye on the London 2012 Games, the North East Sports Awards look set to be the best ever.

"We are thrilled to welcome so many sporting personalities both professional and amateur to what we believe will be the most hotly contested year in the history of the Awards. With some many great performances and such vast growing talent to choose from the judging won’t be easy. It’s very exciting and we hope that the nominees and winners will be an inspiration to everyone to take part in sport.”

Friends, families and colleagues are urged to put forward suitable candidates for community accolades at this year’s North East Sports Awards. The nomination form is available on www.sportengland.org/northeast or call to request a printed version on 0191 384 9595. Nomination closing date is 31 October.

IN YOUR REGION

Graphic Version | How to use this site | Site map | A-Z Index | Contact Us

FEEDBACK | PRIVACY/DISCLAIMER