This year we welcome nominations in the following 8 categories

• Coach of the Year
• Young Leader of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Club of the Year
• Sports Project of the Year
• School of the Year
• NEW! Business of the Year
• Unsung Hero

The search for sport's Unsung Heroes is taking place not only in Bucks but across the United Kingdom. Winners of the Bucks Sport Coach, Volunteer and Unsung Hero Awards will be nominated for the BBC South Awards.

The Nomination Process is as follows:
Nominations can be made via the online nomination form on the Bucks Sport website. Please note that self nominations will not be considered for individual awards. So as to assist you here are the criteria for each award.

Coach of the Year
Nominations are invited for coaches who have a made a significant contribution to sports coaching within the county. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of impact made to their sport(s) e.g. include how long they have been involved; who has benefited & how
2. Evidence of work in a variety of environments e.g. schools and community groups
3. Evidence of commitment to their own coaching development in 2009
4. Key achievements in 2009 e.g. coaching juniors, performance coaching, mentoring and educating other coaches, coaching people with disabilities

Sports Leaders UK Young Leader of the Year
Nominations are invited for coaches and young leaders aged 14 to 25 years who have a made a significant contribution to sport within the county. The young leader ideally will have completed a Sports Leaders qualification in the last 3 years and used these skills to benefit the local community. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of impact made to their sport(s) e.g. include how long they have been involved; who has benefited & how
2. Evidence of work in a variety of environments e.g. schools and community groups
3. Evidence of commitment to their own coaching development in 2009
4. Key achievements in 2009 e.g. coaching juniors, performance coaching, mentoring and educating other coaches, coaching people with disabilities

Volunteer of the Year
Nominations are invited for volunteers who have shown true dedication, perhaps carrying out essential but not necessarily inspiring work with little thanks or obvious rewards. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of the impact on their club or organisation
2. Evidence of commitment to the club, sport or organisation's development e.g. include how long they have been involved; who has benefited & how
3. Evidence of team working and supporting others to volunteer
4. Key achievements in 2009 e.g. supported ClubMark accreditation, successful fundraising, developed new partnerships

Club of the Year
Nominations are invited for sports clubs that have developed an environment where athletes and volunteers may enjoy and succeed in their sport. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Key achievements within the Club in 2009 e.g. sporting achievement, widening access to disadvantaged groups, business links, new sections and ClubMark accreditation
2. Evidence of increased membership and participation in 2009
3. Evidence of successful partnerships within the community (e.g. schools, organisations, businesses)
4. Evidence of a commitment to volunteer recruitment, recognition and training

Sports Project with Impact, Innovation and Partnership
Nominations are invited for projects that have succeeded in bringing positive change to communities, change that will be sustained beyond the lifespan of the project. This award will particularly highlight successful associations between businesses and sport. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of successful and sustainable partnerships with the public, private or community sector
2. Evidence of exciting and original ways to address a need in the local community
3. Evidence of impact on a wide range of local issues including health and fitness, education and learning, community regeneration and cohesion
4. Key achievements

School of the Year
Nominations are invited for primary or secondary schools that have developed sport to bring positive changes within the school community. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of increased participation in school and community sport and of increased participation in intra and inter school competition
3. Evidence of improved attitude, behaviour and attendance in PE and whole school
4. Evidence of successful partnerships with local clubs and community organisations
5. Key achievements e.g. teacher training, sporting success, sports accreditation, motivating disengaged students

Business of the Year
Nominations are invited from businesses who are committed to improving the sport and physical activity participation of their workforce and local community.
1. Evidence of commitment to a physically active workforce e.g. corporate gym deals, promoting activities, supporting talented athletes and entering team challenges
2. Evidence of supporting local community sport e.g. sponsoring or supporting events, clubs or promotion
3. Evidence of supporting workforce to volunteer in community sport
4. Key achievements relating to sport and physical activity

An Unsung Hero?
Nominations are invited for an Unsung Hero that have made a real impact to sport in the county. Nominations will be considered against the following criteria:
1. Evidence of impact on individuals / organisations / communities e.g. Who and how many people have they helped?
2. Evidence of encouraging people to participate in sport e.g. how do they enable others to participate in sport
3. Evidence of commitment e.g. How long have they been involved? How much time do they give on a weekly basis? Do they work alone or as part of a team?
4. What makes them stand out?

Nomination Process
Nominations should be made by completing online application form via the Bucks Sport website www.buckssport.org. Nominations can be made by any person however self nominations will not be considered for individual awards. If you have any questions on how to complete this form, please contact Bucks Sport on 01296 585215.

The closing date for submitting nominations is Monday 26th October 2009.

So what happens on the Bucks Sports Awards Evening?
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to the prestigious Bucks Sport Awards Evening on Friday 27th November 2009 at Horwood House. The evening will celebrate all the amazing work the goes on every day across the county and will start with a drinks reception followed by, dinner and the awards ceremony itself. More details about how to get a ticket for the event will be released shortly!