Many of these volunteers - coaches, club volunteers or officials - are the same ones who are now getting our sport into a state of readiness for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are ensuring that athletics will make the most of the opportunities the Games present and remain a welcoming, vibrant and successful sport long into the future.
The 2011 England Athletics Regional and National Awards provide a unique opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions made to our sport by these people who give their time, energy and expertise on a voluntary basis.
Our annual awards for volunteers see winners chosen in ten categories, at both regional and national level. These awards cover clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, disability athletics and athletics networks.
You can nominate someone for an Award until Friday 19 August 2011
Please use online nomination wherever possible, a downloadable paper nomination form is available here. This also contains nomination criteria.
For more information and to nominate please visit www.englandathletics.org
Award Categories and Criteria 2011
Please read carefully before making your nomination.
Nominations must demonstrate clearly why the contribution of the nominee should be recognised, taking into account the criteria in each category.
Where possible please work with others to ensure the supporting information in your nomination is as comprehensive as possible - this will enhance your nomination's chances of success. In the event of multiple nominations for one candidate being received the supporting information will be aggregated.
Clubs
1 Development Club of the Year
Criteria: Recognising the achievements, over the past 12 months, of an individual club to tackle the fundamental elements of club development, from induction programmes for new participants through to the development of talented athletes, coaches and volunteer structures to demonstrably increase and retain members and improve standards of performance. This club would improve access to disadvantaged groups and link to wider community partnerships involving schools and colleges, including McCain Athletics Networks and the delivery of initiatives such as Athletics 365.
2 Athletics Network of the Year
Criteria: An award recognising the strength and productivity of partnerships between clubs, and involving other community partner organisations, to further the sport of athletics in the local community over the past 12 months.
Such a successful partnership must involve more than one club and demonstrate impact locally, particularly in growing and sustaining participation through specific actions. This Award is open to non-funded networks of clubs and community partners as well as McCain Athletics Networks.
Coaches
1 Services to Coaching
Criteria: An award specifically recognising a contribution to coach development as well as long-term high achievement.
A coach who has only worked with children could also be eligible for this award.
2 Development Coach
Criteria: An award for a coach who has shown a significant contribution to supporting athletes below the age of 16 during the past 12 months. Priority will be given to those coaches supporting the development of a multi-discipline approach, and to those who have contributed, through partnership with other coaches, to the transition from junior level to senior success.
Volunteers
1 Young Volunteer of the Year
Criteria: A person aged under 25 years of age who has contributed significant time and energy to their club, county or region, or who has come up with a new idea or exciting project to help their club, county or region during the last 12 months or beyond.
2 Services To Volunteering (Aged 25 plus)
Criteria: A person aged 25 years or older who has contributed significant time and energy to their club, county or region, or who has come up with a new idea or exciting project to help their club, county or region during the last 12 months or over a longer period.
Officials
1 Official of the Year
Criteria: An official who has supported other officials in their region, and who may have helped to improve education and training over the past 12 months.
2 Services To Officiating
Criteria: An official who has made a significant, long-term contribution, supporting other officials in their region, and helping to improve education and training.
Disability Athletics
1 Services to Disability Athletics
Criteria: This award will recognise an individual or organisation that has supported the development of integrated and inclusive athletics opportunities, consistent with the guiding principles of the England Athletics Disability Action Plan, in the last 12 months or beyond.
Services to Athletics
1 Services to Athletics
Criteria: This award recognises long-time, outstanding service to the sport from an athlete, coach, official, club volunteer or community volunteer over a sustained period of time. Nominations should clearly demonstrate that the nominee has had a significant impact on the shape of the sport in the region or further afield.