Under starters orders for the 2023 York Sports Awards

Nominations are now open for the eighth York Sports Awards to take place for the first time at York Racecourse on Thursday 20 April.

The prestigious awards celebrate the sport and physical wellbeing achievements of athletes, of all ages and levels, coaches, administrators, and volunteers together with community champions who kept their communities active during 2022.

A total of 18 awards are to be awarded including two new awards – the Sustainability Award for Clubs/Teams showing a long-term commitment to the environment and the Diversity and Inclusivity Award for Clubs/Teams demonstrating an open and welcoming approach to encouraging participation.

Keith Morris, Chair of Active York said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and proved to be a memorable return for the awards, after an absence of 3 years. The achievements of those recognised and the range of groups, sports, and communities they represented were an inspiration and their recognition was just what the awards were established to celebrate.

We are calling on anyone involved in sport, wellbeing and activity across the city or who knows of anyone deserving recognition to nominate them as we look to further raise the profile of the awards and to celebrate them at a brand-new venue with what we hopefully with our largest ever audience”.

Councillor Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities at City of York Council, the awards partner, said:“These inspirational awards celebrate all involved in sport and physical wellbeing. From professional athletes who inspire us, to the generous volunteers without whom community sport and wellbeing initiatives could not take place: this is York’s chance to thank and recognise them, their achievements and contributions.”

The York Sports Awards is organised by Active York in conjunction with event partners City of York Council and York Sport, with support from Switalskis Solicitors, University of York, Better, York RLFC, York RLFC Valkyrie, York City Football Club Foundation, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate and York St John University.

To nominate and for the awards’ criteria visit: www.yorksportsawards.co.uk

Nominations close Sunday 26 February.

*Pictured left to right at the launch of the 2023 York Sports Awards at the new host venue, York Racecourse, are:

Neil Gulliver - General Manager, York Rugby League Football Club

Robert Hickey - Chief Operating Officer, York St John University

Richard Orr - Business Manager, York Sport

Tamlin Bolton - Senior Associate, Switalskis

Paula Stainton - York City FC Foundation Manager

Paul Ramskill - Community Sports Development Manager, City of York Council

Keith Morris - Chair, Active York, Head of Sport, University of York

Paul Bickle - Partnership Manager, Better

James Brennan - Sales and Marketing Director, York Racecourse.