Following a record 57 nominations across 11 categories, this year’s Mansfield Sports Recognition Awards ceremony promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Nominations have now closed, the evaluation panel has met and all that is left is to honour the winners and present the awards.

The event, which is organised by Mansfield District Council in association with The Armchair Club and the Chad, takes place on Monday 8th December at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, from 7pm. Tickets for the event have now sold out.

The categories are:
•Junior team of the year
•Junior sports person of the year – under 15 years
•Junior sports person of the year – 15 – 17 years
•Junior sports leader of the year
•Junior disabled sports person of the year
•Club of the year
•Disabled sports person of the year
•Sportsperson of the year
•Coach of the year
•Team of the year
•Volunteer of the year.

In addition, there is the Mayor’s Special Achievement Award, which recognises the work of an individual in promoting sport within the district.

This year, the Armchair Club will also be awarding the Ian Bagshaw Memorial Award. Ian, who was manager of the Water Meadows Swimming Complex, sadly lost his life to leukaemia in May this year, aged just 57.

This year’s guest speaker is Bryan Steel, former Olympic silver and bronze medal winning cyclist.

Coun Philip Shields, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “The awards ceremony on Monday promises to be a fantastic evening. We are looking forward to honouring our local sports stars, teams, coaches and volunteers across a range of sports and giving them the credit they deserve.”