BBC WALES AND SPORT WALES START SEARCH FOR GRASSROOTS SPORTING HEROES
After the stars of Welsh sport celebrated success at the Euros and in Rio this summer, it is now the turn of Wales' finest sporting volunteers to step into the limelight.
BBC Wales and Sport Wales are today (20 September 2016) inviting people to nominate the best grassroots coaches and volunteers for recognition at this year's prestigious Wales Sport Awards.
The categories for nomination are:
- Young Coach of the Year
- Community Coach of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Coach to Disabled People of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Community)
The Wales Sport Awards, hosted jointly by BBC Wales and Sport Wales, is the country’s biggest annual celebration of the very best of elite and grassroots sport.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director, BBC Wales said, "The nation has revelled in an unforgettable year of Welsh sporting success, and it's absolutely right that our brilliant volunteers will share the same stage with our biggest stars at the Wales Sport Awards. We are asking everyone to take a moment to nominate someone who keeps Welsh sport ticking, so that we recognise the huge contribution of people who are volunteering their valuable time and expertise to nurture the next Gareth Bale, Jade Jones or Aled Davies."
Dr Paul Thomas, Chair of Sport Wales added, “The community awards are so important because we know the grassroots are the very heart of people’s journey in sport.
“The footballers and the athletes we’ve supported this summer all started their journey somewhere and had a first taste of sport that got that hooked them into a love affair with sport.
“In every corner of Wales there is a coach or volunteer who is giving their own time to support and inspire people to enjoy sport and enjoy all the health, social and other benefits that come with it.
“Often these people don’t realise how important they are, which is why we need to recognise and celebrate their achievements.
