The Black Country Sport & Physical Activity Awards 2016: Who are the sporting champs that go the extra mile?
Which Black Country sports star will be crowned the region's best and which unsung heroes will finally get the recognition they deserve?
You the readers will help to decide. The Black Country Sport and Physical Activity Awards are back for another year and there is a new clutch of trophies to be handed out.
Who are those people who go the extra mile, do that little bit more than is asked or required, show sheer dedication, either to get people the region should be proud of. We are inviting readers to nominate who they feel most deserves recognition for their hard work.
Click here to get nominating
The winners will be announced at the ceremony at Showcase Cinema, Castlegate, Dudley, on Friday November 4. Some of those who win on the night may well have appeared on the pages of this newspaper before due to their sporting excellence.
But others will not have and it is for that reason, that they haven't had their deserved recognition, their moment in the spotlight, that we want you to vote for them.
They may have affected your lives in some way, coached your children, supported a neighbour, and now we want to hear about their story.
Volunteers make a huge difference all over the region, be it at their local park or a bigger organisation. A prime example is Tividale Football Academy, who were named Community Club of the Year at the 2015 awards, know all about the importance of volunteers.
The academy provides coaching for 300 young people and is continuing to grow.
Secretary and youth operations development manager John Danks said: "We've got over 50 regular volunteers with us. We are a massive organisation yet we are pretty much run by volunteers and couldn't do it without them.
"I have to pinch myself when I think about that."
It was a proud moment for all the coaches who work hard at Warley Boxing Club as rising star Corey Clarke was named Newcomer of the Year at last year's ceremony.
The 19-year-old has put in a string of impressive performances and represented England at the Schoolboy 3 Nations tournament.
The club's head coach John Nash said Corey was an example to all youngsters who train there.
All nominees must either have been born, live in or have been playing, coaching or volunteering in the Black Country, comprising Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Nominations should be based on an individual or a groups efforts from September 10, 2015to September 9 this year.
Nomination forms at www.blackcountrybeactive.co.uk/get-involved/sports-awards must be completed fully with all questions answered.
People can nominate in as many of the categories as they wish.
Details on the nomination forms will be checked by the organising committee.
All completed forms should be sent to Angie Sheasby, Black Country Consortium, The Deckhouse, Waterfront West, Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, DY5 1 LW.
Completed forms can also be emailed to angie_sheasby@blackcountryconsortium.co.uk.
The closing date is October 9.
Sports personality of the Year (19 years and over)
This category is for sportspeople who have displayed excellence in their chosen sport.
This could be county champions, national and international athletes.
Aspring Talent
Rewarding young sportspeople who have displayed a real excellence in their chosen sport – county champions, national and international athletes.
Power of Sport
This new award category recognises an individual whose life has significantly been changed and improved through them adopting a more active lifestyle.
Community Club of the Year
Recognising a club that provides a quality environment for members through supporting coaches and volunteers and developing the infrastructure of the club for members and future generations.
Coach of the Year
A paid or unpaid coach who has made a significant impact on those they have coached and is committed to providing more opportunities for people in sport.
Community Project of the Year
Recognising a sport and/or physical activity project which uses innovative Newcomer of the Year (18 and under).
Rewarding the achievements of an individual in their first 18 months of participating in their chosen sport, activity or role.
The individual should have made an outstanding and inspirational contribution to those in the community.
Unsung Hero
This award recognises those dedicated individuals who give up their time for free and, by doing so, make participating in sport and physical activity possible.
School of the Year
Rewarding schools that have used sport as participation inapproaches to improve health and enhance the quality of life and/ or participation levels of the people.
