THE sporting community still has time to submit nominations for the Alton and District Sports Awards.

The awards, to be presented during a ceremony in January, recognise the achievements of sports men and women throughout the year.

Run on an annual basis by the Alton and District Sports Council, the awards go to elite performers as well as members of the sporting community – the coaches, officials and volunteers who work behind the scenes to help athletes and clubs succeed.

Brian Scowcroft, chairman of Alton and District Sports Council, said: “In the Alton area, we have a wealth of talent that largely goes unrecognised. These awards allow for these talented athletes and people to gain some publicity and showcase their achievements and sports.

“We also want to recognise that band of unsung heroes, the coaches and volunteers who work tirelessly to support local athletes to gain local, county, national and international honours.”

The awards will publicly recognise achievement in various nominated sporting categories:

Junior Categories: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Volunteer, Disability Sportsperson.

Senior Categories: Sportsman, Sportswoman, Disability Sportsperson, Volunteer of the Year, Coach of the Year , Official of the Year, Team of the Year, Service to Sport.

Nominees are assessed by a judging panel and winners are required to meet criteria specific for each category. The deadline for nominations is next Thursday, December 31, and selected finalists are invited to the awards evening at Chawton Park Indoor Bowls Club in Alton on January 27.

The winners of the Alton and District Sports awards will be put forward to compete for the 2015 East Hampshire District Sports awards.

To download nomination forms, visit altondsc.org. Forms must be e-mailed to Brian Scowcroft at [email protected].