Devon's best sports awards are open

Nominations for the prestigious Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards are now open.

Active Devon and Exeter Foundation, who jointly stage and promote the event, are expecting this year’s event to be more popular than ever.

The awards celebrate, not just the participants, but the clubs and teams, the coaches, the officials and the volunteers who help performers to succeed.

For 2015 the organisers are keen that an even wider cross section of sport in Devon, both at community and elite level, is recognised.

So, in a change to the way team and individual performances are recognised, nominations are this year invited for a new general category –Outstanding Performances in Sport.

Whatever level you play at and regardless of how many or how few people play your particular sport, don’t hesitate to send your nomination in.

The awards will also feature many of the ever popular categories designed to honour coaches, clubs, volunteers and activities that help people from all parts of the community to get involved in sport.

With 13 categories in total, even more people across the county are eligible to apply and Active Devon and the Exeter Foundation are urging people to fill in a nomination form before the closing date is 1st March 2015.

Exeter Foundation chairman, Tony Rowe, said: “Devon has a proud history of producing outstanding sportsmen and women in a variety of disciplines.

“This year’s awards have been refined to ensure we enable as many people as possible to receive the recognition they deserve.”

Mr Rowe, who is also chief executive of Premiership rugby side Exeter Chiefs, said the awards would be celebrated at the club’s newly redeveloped stadium, Sandy Park.

The new format nomination form can be downloaded from the Active Devon website at www.activedevon.org/sportsawards2015 and either printed out and posted in, or completed online and emailed to Active Devon.

The Devon Sports awards will take place on Friday the 8th May. For any queries please contact the Active Devon Office on 01392 263674 or email active@devon.gov.uk