Sporting stars of Down to be saluted at awards

Sporting stars of Down to be saluted at awards

9 January 2019

LOCAL sports heroes are set to get their big moment on the red carpet.

Nominations are being sought for the inaugural Newry, Mourne and Down Sports Awards.

The awards will be presented at a star-studded event in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry, on Thursday, March 7.

The awards are being organised by Newry, Mourne and Down Council in association with the Sports Association Newry, Down and South Armagh.

They are intended to recognise the remarkable achievements of the local sporting community.

Nominations are now open and local sports clubs, organisations and fans are all encouraged to take part.

Awards will be made in the following categories:

• Junior club team of the year

• Senior club team of the year

• Sportsperson/team of the year with a disability

• Lifetime services to sport

• Young sport volunteer of the year

• Sport volunteer of the year

• Disability coach of the year

• Young technical official of the year

• Technical official of the year

• Young coach of the year

• Performance pathway coach of the year

• Junior sportsperson of the year

• Senior sportsperson of the year.

Attending the launch was Newry, Mourne 

and Down Council deputy chairperson Oksana McMahon.

She said: “The council is proud to launch these new sports awards and is keen to support the sporting communities of the district.

“Empowering and aiding sports clubs to develop and deliver sporting experiences will enable our citizens to be active, right across the range, from grassroots to the highest levels of performance.”

She added: “So many exceptional achievements have been racked up by sporting stars across the district and I know that competition will be notable for the 13 awards on offer as we recognise the amazing accomplishments of our local stars throughout 2018.”

Nomination forms will be available from Leisure and Sport Department, Down Leisure Centre, 114 Market Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ; Leisure and Sport Department, Newry Leisure Centre, 60 Cecil Street, Newry, BT35 6AU; or http://www.newrymournedown.org/leisure-and-sport.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 4pm.

Nominations can be returned to Down Leisure Centre, Newry Leisure Centre, or or via email: leisureandsport@nmandd.org  

Tickets for the awards evening will be available from this Friday until Friday, February 22. Contact Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Leisure and Sport Department for further ticket information on 028 3031 3131, or email: leisureandsport@nmandd.org.