Monday deadline for Sports Awards entries

But you’ll have to be quick - entries for the annual Ballymena Borough Council Sports Awards close next Monday, November 12.

The annual awards - Ballymena’s answer to the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year event - will take place on Thursday, January 24, 2013.

And as always, the organisers are appealing to the Ballymena sporting public to have their say on who has impressed them in local sporting circles in 2012.

The awards provide an opportunity to recognise and honour the successes achieved by the borough’s sportsmen and women, whether as a performer or as a hard-working coach or administrator.

There have been some fantastic performances by clubs and individuals at local, county, provincial and national levels this year and competition is sure to be fierce for the coveted titles.

“We want to recognise the fantastic achievements of sportsmen and women throughout the Borough of Ballymena and to say a huge thank you to coaches, clubs and volunteers who are essential to all sporting activity,” said Ballymena Borough Council Sports Development Officer Katrina McCaughan.

“With your help, we will compile a list of nominees in categories ranging from ‘Team of the Year’ to ‘Adult Sportsperson of the Year’.

“A selection committee will then consider nominations and draw up a shortlist from which the eventual winners will be chosen.

“We want your nominations so if you feel that an individual/team deserves recognition for their sporting achievements then you can download a nomination form from www.ballymena.gov.uk/sportsawards.asp or alternatively they are available from Seven Towers Leisure Centre or Ballymena Showgrounds.”

The nomination forms must be returned to Katrina at Ballymena Showgrounds, Warden Street, Ballymena, BT43 7DR by 5pm on Monday 12 November 2012.

Nominations are currently being sought from sports clubs, schools and members of the public for the following categories:

- Junior Sportsperson

- Adult Sportsperson of the Year

- Coach of Year

- Ballymena Community Sport Award

- Team of the Year

- Services to Sport

- Sporting Performance of the Year

- Sportsperson/Sports Team with a Disability

- School Performance of the Year

- Sporting Hall of Fame

- Des Allen Athletics Bursary – £500 bursary for talented junior athletes (track & field).

The awards evening will take place in The Braid Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre and will once again be compered by Ballymena-based BBC presenter Jackie Fullerton.