Nominate your stars for the new Devon & Cornwall Sports Awards

DEVON & CORNWALL SPORTS AWARDS

IN January next year, there will be a huge celebration of Devon & Cornwall sport at the Plymouth Pavilions – and we are now looking for the most deserving sporting people to fill the seats and make the evening one to remember.

Nominations are open for the Devon & Cornwall Sports Awards now and there are 13 categories.

Nominations are being sought from all over Devon and Cornwall with major sports stars and respected amateurs alike all recognised for their effort and endeavour in their particular arena.

New this year is the Rob Daley Award, named in honour of Olympic diver Tom Daley’s dad, who died in May 2011 after a five-year battle with a brain tumour, aged only 40.

This will be a person who has overcome adversity in order to succeed in their chosen sport.

Richard Hughes, head of print production for sport for the Reach Devon & Cornwall titles – Cornish Guardian, Cornishman, Express & Echo, Herald Express, Mid-Devon Gazette, North Devon Journal, Plymouth Herald, West Briton and Western Morning News – said: “This is a great chance for readers to spread the word of sport in their area.

“There is so much to celebrate in Devon and Cornwall sport, from Olympians like Tom Daley, to the lady who makes the tea for your team in your local cricket league.

“Dedicated sports people and passionate volunteers are the lifeblood of our sporting community and now is the time to recognise them.

“These first Devon & Cornwall awards are a natural progression from the awards that

There was no prouder granddad at the Wollen Michelmore South Devon Youth League than former St Marychurch all-rounder Frank Burley (left), whose grandson Harrison Vickery was Bowler of the Year for Abbotserswell in the U10 Division. There are so many good young sports people in Devon and Cornwall who deserve to be nominated in the sports awards – have you nminated your hero yet? were previously held in Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay – and elsewhere – and will bring together the best in our region for one big party at the Pavilions in January.”

Western Morning News editor Bill Martin said: “We are delighted to be extending this year’s sports awards event to take in the whole of the region we cover.

“There is an extraordinary amount of sporting talent in the region and we are keen to reflect that and celebrate the very best.

“The awards are designed to reflect achievement at all levels, and in all areas of sport – playing, administration and officiating.

“We urge people to make sure that their sporting heroes are nominated so we can make sure this a great celebration of the very best of South West sport.”

The closing date for nominations is Sunday, November 25 – and the big night at the Plymouth Pavilions will be on Monday, January 28.

To enter, use the web address at the top of the list of categories.