One-off Spirit of Sport awards to hail 2020 efforts
Lockdown achievements recognised
Live Active Leisure has announced the Spirit of Sport Awards in recognition of the efforts made and achievements gained by sports clubs, groups, organisations, athletes, volunteers and coaches during lockdown 2020.
Sponsored by Perth and Kinross Sports Council, the one-off celebration will replace this year’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards ceremony, and instead is open to nominations for those clubs and individuals who made an impact on their community and members through their creativity and determination.
Phil Coleman, community sport and partnership manager for Live Active Leisure, said: “With such huge disruption to sport in 2020, we knew that we couldn’t go ahead with our usual Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
“However, through our club contacts we’ve heard countless stories of volunteers keeping their members and communities engaged through various activities, as well as delivering non-sporting, additional support to the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“We knew we had to find a way to recognise those efforts formally and we’re delighted that Perth and Kinross Sports Council has agreed to sponsor our Spirit of Sport Awards. I would encourage everyone to send their nominations to us by March 8, 2021.”
The award ceremony will take place virtually in late March and will see volunteers, athletes, coaches, clubs and other local sporting organisations celebrated in five different categories.
David Taylor, chairperson of Perth and Kinross Sports Council, said: “PKSC has supported the annual Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Perth and Kinross for many years now.
“And we are delighted that our long-standing partnership with Live Active Leisure is in a position to recognise the individuals and clubs who have gone over and above to keep the spirit of sport alive during what is undoubtedly one of the most challenging times any of us has ever faced.
“I hope people get behind this brilliant idea and nominate the worthy clubs and individuals of our local sporting community.”
Award categories for clubs, groups and other sporting organisations include:
■The Creative Award: For sporting organisations that kept members and participants engaged at a time when normal sessions could not take place. Judges are looking for evidence of ways in which the club or group supported members’ wellbeing whilst motivating them to keep fit and healthy in safe ways.
■The Community Support Award: For sporting organisations that utilised their existing position in the community to go above and beyond, reaching out to those needing help and providing services for the vulnerable.
Award categories for individuals include:
■The Inspirational Volunteer Award: For a volunteer who contributed both time and creativity to their sporting organisation, and who worked hard to facilitate a return to activity for members and participants.
■The Community Inspiration Award: For any individual who proved to be an inspiration to their community. This may have been by encouraging
Charlie Guest was named last year’s Sports Personality of the Year people to keep active, by completing a lockdown fundraiser, or by overcoming significant challenges to deliver a programme that benefitted many.
■The Inspirational Athlete Award: For an athlete who, despite the significant challenges of COVID-19 and the lack of competitions, performed to a high level in their sport. Alternatively, they may have successfully modified their training and set new goals to achieve their ambitions.
Anyone can nominate an individual or a group by visiting liveactive.co.uk. The deadline for nominations is March 8, 2021.
Winners will be decided by a select panel of judges and announced via the Live Active Leisure Facebook page. The date of this announcement will be governed in part by lockdown restrictions with a virtual ceremony planned for no later than April 30.