Time to honour your sporting heroes

Once again there have been many success stories at home and abroad during the last 12 months but which do you consider to have been the best?

In our December 14 issue we’ll be launching the awards with a list of the main contenders plus details of how to vote for your favourites.

To make sure your choice for a gong doesn’t miss out, we’re inviting readers to submit nominations in any of the 10 categories.

We’ve got world champions, European champions and British champions on our doorstep and they are the easy ones to spot.

They are all likely to figure prominently in the voting for Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Junior Sportsman of the Year and Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

But in some categories worthy contenders are less obvious.

So is there someone at your club who should be put forward for the Unsung Hero prize? We’re looking for people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help clubs and organisations run smoothly, often for little or no reward.

If you know of someone at your club who’s been a real rock for several years and who’s gone above and beyond the call of duty, then forward his/her name.

And what about Junior Footballer of the Year? There are hundreds of youngsters out there who perform to a very high standard week in, week out and who are excellent team players.

We get to hear about some of them but not all. So if your team has such a gem, then let us know.

And it’s the same with Coach of the Year. Many devote hours and hours of their own free time to successfully developing talent but maintain a low profile. Sound familiar? Is that person at your club and worth nominating?

Peterborough United, Peterborough Panthers and Peterborough Phantoms have done well over the years in the Team of the Year category but in more recent times, despite their obvious fan-base advantage, they’ve been overhauled.

So don’t be afraid to put your team forward for consideration if they’ve had a 2017 to celebrate.

In the Sports Personality of the Year we’re looking for candidates who are top achievers in their field but also well respected by fellow competitors and officials.

In the three junior categories nominations must be for boys and girls aged 16 or under on January 1st 2017.

The Sports Awards presentation night will be on Friday February 2 at the Holiday Inn. The top three in each category after the voting has closed will be invited to attend.

Anybody interested in sponsoring any of the categories should email Linda Pritchard at [email protected] for details.

SPORTS AWARDS CATEGORIES

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Last winner Ged Rathbone (Panthers speedway).

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Last winners Peterborough Northern Star Ladies FC.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Last winner Janis Auzins (Peterborough Phantoms ice hockey).

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Last winner Lauren Steadman (triathlon).

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Last winner Eddy Paddock (Peterborougn BCKA kick-boxing).

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Last winner Lorena Ismail (martial arts).

FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Last winner Jodie Bartle (Peterborough Northern Star Ladies).

JUNIOR FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

Last winner William Howarth (Werrington).

COACH OF THE YEAR

Last winner Slava Koulikov (Peterborough Phantoms ice hockey).

UNSUNG HERO

Last winner John Sismey (Peterborough Rugby Club).

Email your nominations for 2017 to [email protected]