Medway Sports Awards

To improve the chances of your nomination being successful, make sure your entry covers achievements against the specific criteria for your chosen category as outlined below.

The more information that you provide, the easier it is for the judges to pick the most worthy winner of each award.

The qualification period for relevant achievements is 1 October 2022 to 31 October 2024 inclusive.

Nominations are now open for sports awards 2024. For a nomination form, email medwaysport@medway.gov.uk. An online process will open in early 2024.

2024 judging panel

•  To be announced.

The categories and criteria

• Sportsperson of the Year
• Junior Sportsperson of the Year
• Club of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Junior Club of the Year 
• Junior Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Official of the Year
• Primary School of the Year
• Secondary School of the Year
• Unsung Hero of the Year.

Sportsperson of the Year and Junior Sportsperson of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded in recognition of a sportsperson/young sportsperson who has exhibited the highest level of skill, performance, dedication and commitment to their sport during the judging period.

Nominations should include details of:

• competitive success at regional, national or international level
• national rankings, involvement in NGB performance pathways/programmes
• supporting statements from coach/NGB where appropriate.

Performance can be individual or as part of a winning team. Open to professional and amateur athletes in any sport or discipline.

The Sportsperson category is open to individuals aged 21 or older on 1 January 2022. The Junior Sportsperson is open to individuals aged 21 or younger on 31 December 2021.

Club of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded to clubs demonstrating excellence in management, development and competition at senior level in the last year.

Questions considered when judging a nomination are:

• what have been the club's competitive and developmental successes?
• what demonstrable growth in participation has there been?
• how did the club adapt and evolve during and in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?  
• what plan exists for future development of the club?
• does the club have a good committee structure?
• does the club have a sound constitution and code of conduct?
• is the club applying for, or does it already have, national governing body accreditation or Clubmark?
• is there a demonstrable commitment to developing coaches?
• is there a strong commitment to developing a successful junior section that encourages children to take part in sport?
• does the club engage with underrepresented groups/seek to increase participation from specific groups/audiences (women, disabled, young people)?
• does the club provide a safe environment for children to enjoy sport?

Club of the Year 2018 winners Anchorians FC with Charlotte Evans.

Team of the Year - seeking sponsors

Awarded to a senior team that has achieved outstanding competitive success in any sport during the judging period.

The category is open to teams of 2 people or more, so doubles pairings in racquet sports are included.

All team members must have been aged 21 years or older on 1 January 2022, with the exception of teams with more than 6 members. For senior teams with more than 6 members, up to 2 of these can be under 21 years old on 31 December 2021.

Junior Club of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded to clubs demonstrating excellence in management, development and competition for young people in Medway in the last year.

Questions considered when judging a nomination are:

• what have been the club's competitive successes?
• what demonstrable growth in participation has there been?
• how did the club adapt, evolve and engage young people during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? 
• what plan exists for future development of the club?
• does the club have a good committee structure?
• is the club applying for, or does it already have, national governing body accreditation or Clubmark?
• is there a demonstrable commitment to developing coaches?
• is there a strong commitment to developing a successful junior section that encourages children to take part in sport?
• does the club provide a safe environment for children to enjoy sport?

Junior Team of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded to the team that has achieved outstanding competitive success during the judging period. This could be club, school or college success in any sport.

This category is open to teams of 2 people or more, so doubles pairings in racquet sports are included. All team members must have been 21 years old or younger on 31 December 2021.

Coach of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded to a coach who has demonstrated outstanding coaching skills and contributed to sporting opportunities and/or success from grassroots to excellence.

Judges will be looking for:

• evidence of competitive success at professional or amateur level or an increase in participation opportunities for a particular group
• commitment to the values of respect and fair play as well as their own development as a coach
• how the coach has inspired the athletes/participants to fulfil their potential.

Open to coaches of individual athletes or teams in any sport or physical activity.

Official of the Year - seeking sponsor

Awarded to an official who has demonstrated outstanding skills, levels of achievement and dedication in any field of officiating in any sport, including umpiring, refereeing and judging.

Primary and Secondary School of the Year-  seeking sponsor

This award recognises a school with clear evidence of the value of adopting a strong PE and school sport culture.

Entries should highlight the positive impact PE and school sport has had on the whole school, including any benefits and links to other curricular areas.

The judges want to see:

• how the school has raised the bar in the area of PE and school sport
• brilliant new ideas and evidence of achievements
• how the school has used the primary premium (primary schools only) to have a greater impact on PE and school sport plans
• ideally a case study illustrating the whole school approach to physical activity, including involvement from children, teachers, parents and the wider community where applicable.

Schools are encouraged to celebrate individual team success by nominating in the Junior Team of the Year category.

Unsung Hero of the Year - seeking sponsor

This award recognises the dedication of those working in the background, putting in endless hours for the benefit of others.

It can go to anyone who assists with any aspect of an organisation, club or team, from washing the kit and sweeping the changing rooms to balancing the club's accounts and ensuring the organisation continues to develop.

Or it may be someone who has encouraged many others into sport and being active over a number of years, having a positive impact on other people, as well as the overall health and wellbeing of Medway residents.   

This is a chance for you, club’s members and other organisations to say a big thank you to those who often get overlooked.

Nominate

Nominations are now open for sports awards 2024. For a nomination form, email medwaysport@medway.gov.uk.

More about the judging criteria.