Time is running out to nominate a sporting hero

Nominations for this year's Pride of Tameside Sport and Physical Activity Awards are set to close on Sunday, August 11.

With time running out, there's no better time to nominate a club, group or individual into one of the following categories:

• Changing Lifestyle Award 
• Club of the Year 
• Young Sports Achiever of the Year 
• Unsung Hero  
• Alex Williams Volunteer of the Year 
• School Commitment to PE and Sport Award 
• Disabled Physical Activity Champion (Local Award) 
• Workforce Advocate Award 
• Community Initiative Award 

Last year's event took place at Dukinfield Town Hall and was regarded as a huge success, with those in attendance treated to a three-course meal and drinks, while professional boxer and Commonwealth champion Stacey Copeland delivered a motivational speech as part of her guest appearance.

Active Tameside's Andy Dwyer was delighted with the 2018 event and believes this year's edition, which is taking place at Dukinfield Town Hall on September 27, will be bigger and better. Speaking to Reporter Sport, he said: "This year we have a few different categories, so the Sports Achiever Award has now become the Young Sports Achiever Award, so you have to be under 18 to be nominated into that category. We also have something called the Community Initiative of the Year Award, so this is open to any sports group or club that has come up with an initiative to benefit the whole community. The change has come from the Greater Manchester Sports Partnership. I think it's putting more of an emphasis on recognising the achievements of young people."

 The award winners from last year's event were:

Ι Coach of the Year – Steve Bates (Mossley AFC Running Club).

Ι  Sports Achiever of the Year – Max Charlett (fencing).

Ι Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year – Katie Toft (para-cycling).

Ι Alex Williams Volunteer of the Year – Adam Hawley (Denton Saint Lawrence Cricket Club).

Ι Unsung Hero of the Year – Yvonne Kelley (posthumous).

Ι Club of the Year – Dom Doyle FC.

Ι Changing Lifestyle Special Recognition Award – Gary Minister.

Ι The School Commitment to PE and Sport Award – Russell Scott Primary School.

A special award was also presented by the Believe and Achieve Trust, which went to eight-year-old Lucas Rhodes. He was honoured for raising awareness of, and funds for, meningitis.

To fill out an application form for this year's event, head to: https://www.activetameside.com/event/pride-of-tameside-sport-physical-awards/