NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2016 East Hampshire District Sports Awards.

The annual awards recognise sportsmen and women at every level, and the coaches, officials and volunteers who work behind the scenes to help athletes and clubs succeed.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 8, 2016, and finalists will be invited to an awards evening in February at Old Thorns Manor Hotel in Liphook.

The winners of the district awards will then be put forward to compete for the 2016 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Awards.

East Hampshire District Council spokesman Julie Butler said: “As someone who has been involved in a local sports team for many years, I have seen the importance of sport in building strong communities, from the people who give up their time to coach a team to the individuals who take part in the sport.

“Everyone works together for a common goal, it’s the essence of a community.

“If you know of someone who has gone the extra mile in (or for) their sport, get nominating.”

Nominees are assessed by a judging panel and winners are required to meet criteria specific for each category.

These annual prestigious awards are co-ordinated by the district council to publicly recognise sporting achievement. The categories are junior sportsman & junior sportswoman, senior sportsman & senior sportswoman, masters sportsman & sportswoman, junior disability sportsperson, senior disability sportsperson, coach of the year (male or female), volunteer of the year (junior & senior), school team of the year, team of the year (junior & senior), official (male or female), service to sport (male or female), club of the year, and outstanding personal achievement.

For nomination forms, visit easthants.gov.uk/sportsawards. For more details, call Kirsty Cope on 01730 234015.