NOMINATIONS are now open for the Wigan Borough’s 2019 Believe Sports Awards.

The prestigious annual event is a chance to shine a spotlight on volunteers, clubs and people who are passionate about sport, as well as celebrating the achievements of athletes.

This will all be wrapped up in a special ceremony organised by Inspiring healthy lifestyles on behalf of Wigan Council.

Last year, Kathleen Pilkington won the Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero Award for her 40 years of service to the Vogue Morris Dancing club.

Sally Skellern also won the Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award after overcoming multiple injuries and operations.

This year Wigan Council is sponsoring The Deal Community Programme of the Year category.

It is for groups that demonstrate how a community activity has had a positive impact on getting residents out, active and engaged in their community while also improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

A new category will also be introduced this year.

The Workforce Advocate of the Year category will recognise an individual that has used physical activity or sport within their professional role to have positive impacts for their community.

Managing director for Inspiring healthy lifestyles Pete Burt said: “We know, from our day-to-day work in the community that there are so many wonderful individuals, teams and groups of people who deserve to be recognised and we’d encourage anyone who knows someone like this to take the time to nominate them.

“It’s extremely important to recognise inspirational people who are making such a valuable contribution to sport every day of the year.

“The Believe Sports Awards provides an opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve and celebrate the talent being developed at grassroots level.”

Nominations can be made in the following categories:

Young Sports Achiever of the Year (Sponsored by Debit Finance Collections)

Club of the Year (Sponsored by Big Wave Media)

Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Wigan Athletic Community Trust)

Workforce Advocate of the Year (Sponsored by Agilisys)

The Wilf Brogan Unsung Hero Award (Sponsored by Link Contracting Ltd)

Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award (Sponsored by Technogym)

Team of the Year (Sponsored by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation)

The Martin Lynn School Commitment to PE and S port (Sponsored by Alliance Leisure)

Sports Apprentice of the Year

The Deal Community Programme of the Year (Sponsored by Wigan Council)

Nominations should reflect achievements between September 2018 and the closing date of July 26, 2019.

This year’s ceremony will take place at the DW Stadium on Friday, October 11 and nominations can be made by filling in the online form by clicking here.

For more information contact Inspiring healthy lifestyles on 01942 488495.