Celebrate Bedford’s unsung sporting heroes as nominations for awards open

Bedford is looking to honour its top sporting heroes – and is asking for your help.

Nominations for Bedford Borough Council’s prestigious Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards 2023 are now open.

The annual event aims to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by individuals, clubs, and coaches to local sports and physical activities.

Residents of Bedford borough can nominate candidates they believe have made a significant impact on the local community.

Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: "These awards highlight the extraordinary efforts of individuals, teams, and organisations in our community who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sports and physical activities.

“We encourage everyone to participate by nominating those who deserve to be celebrated. These awards are a testament to the spirit of Bedford Borough, where passion for sports and community thrives."

Award categories

Adult Personality of the Year – celebrates athletes who compete with a high level of skill, shows immense dedication and achieve success in their chosen sport in the last year. The nominee should be over 18 years on day of deadline.

Junior Personality of the Year – athletes who compete with a high level of skill, shows immense dedication and achieve success in their chosen sport in the last year. The nominee should be under 18 years on day of deadline.

Adult Disability Sports Personality of the Year – to celebrate individuals with a disability who take part in physical activity/sport. The nominee should be over 18 years on day of deadline.

Junior Disability Sports Personality of the Year – individuals with a disability who take part in physical activity/sport. The nominee should be under 18 years on day of deadline.

Club of the Year – recognising the achievements of teams and individuals attached at sports clubs.

Community Sports and Physical Activity Award – clubs, groups and individuals who are helping to increase participation in physical activity at a community level. This can be in sport and physical activity, dance, exercise or healthy lifestyle activities.

Primary School of the Year – recognising primary schools that engage pupils in regular physical activity and increase the staff and school PE profile.

Secondary School of the Year - secondary schools that engage pupils in regular physical activity and increase the staff and school PE profile.

Team of the Year – celebrating teams who compete with a high level of skill, show dedication and have achieved success in their chosen sport in the last year.

Coach of the Year - coaches who coach with a high level of skill, show dedication and achieves success with their team/individual in the last year. They can be paid or unpaid.

Unsung Hero – recognising administrators, adult volunteers and fundraisers.

Young Volunteer of the Year - recognising young volunteers working in schools, community groups, clubs or on their own. The nominee should be under 18 years on day of deadline.

Service to Sport – a person who has contributed significantly to their sport or club over a long period of time.

The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, December 11 at the Bedford Corn Exchange.

Nomination forms are on the Bedford Borough Council website at www.bedford.gov.uk/sportsawards. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 23, at 5pm.