BBC launches 2011 Sports Unsung Hero Award

The BBC has launched its 2011 Sports Unsung Hero Award – recognising someone who makes a difference in sports in their community.

The Sports Unsung Hero Award is part of the Sports Personality of the Year event, and the winner will receive their award at a star-studded awards ceremony featuring the great and the good of UK sport.

This is the ninth year that the BBC has recognised its Unsung Hero, with the aim to ‘recognise someone who is dedicating their life to promoting sport in their community, taking no reward from it other than the pleasure of helping others to take part and enjoy their sport.’

Winners will be named in the BBC’s 15 nations and regions in the UK, before an overall winner is named at the Sports Personality of the Year event in Salford on 22 December.

‘The BBC is delighted to recognise the important, and often unheralded, work of those whose selfless efforts so often shape the sporting success and enjoyment of so many different individuals and teams,’ said Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport.

‘The BBC Sports Unsung Hero awards are important because they celebrate the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of people up and down the country who give something back to their community through sport.’

The BBC has announced the following criteria to be considered for the Sports Unsung Hero Award:

– Nominees must be working on a voluntary basis to make a difference in community sport

– This sport can be at any level

– Nominees must not gain any financial reward for their efforts in sport

– Nominees must be aged 16 or over

More details of how to nominate in the 2011 Sports Unsung Hero Award are available from the BBC website.

The award – which was first awarded to Nobby Woodcock in 2003 for his work in grassroots football in Wales – has never been received by a rowing volunteer, so why not take this opportunity to recognise the selfless soul who keeps your club afloat.