Nominate your Shropshire sporting heroes for the Energize Awards 2015
It's time to nominate your local heroes for the county's sports awards.
Now in its ninth year, the Energize Awards recognise the people who are currently taking part, working or volunteering in sport or physical activity in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.
The Energize Awards are run by Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin County Sports Partnership in conjunction with the Shropshire Star and are a fantastic opportunity for local people and organisations to be recognised and celebrated for their passion, dedication and commitment to sport and physical activity.
Times and dates:
The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Friday, September 11, and the Energize Awards 2015 will take place on Thursday, November 5, at the Greenhous Meadow, home of Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
To nominate, go to www.energizeawards.co.uk where you will find an online nomination form, as well as forms that can be downloaded and filled in by hand, or electronically. Alternatively, you can call 01743 453495 or email info@energizestw.org.uk and the details will be sent to you.
How to nominate:
Select the award category/categories you wish to make a nomination for. You can make as many nominations as you like but if you are making more than one nomination you must use separate forms.
Read all of the criteria carefully.
Complete the nomination form online at www.energizeawards.co.uk - other versions of the form are available by contacting Energize STW on 01743 453495 or emailing info@energizestw.org.uk
In the nomination statement use examples to tell us how your nominee meets as many of the criteria for your chosen category as possible but keep the statement to no more than 500 words and do not attach any supporting information. The panel can only base their decision on the information in the nomination form, so please complete this to the best of your ability.
Nominations must be submitted by 4pm on Friday, September 11, 2015.
General criteria for all awards:
The nomination eligibility criteria period is: August 31, 2014 September 11, 2015. Supporting statements must refer particularly to achievements made during this period.
Some categories specify that the sport that the nominee is involved in must be recognised by Sport England, see www.sportengland.org/our-work/national-work/national-governing-bodies/sports-that-we-recognise/ for a list of the recognised sports.
All nominees should be active in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin they do not have to live in the county.
Nominations can be individuals, clubs, organisations, companies, projects or partnerships depending on the individual award criteria.
Self-nominations are accepted.
There are awards to celebrate top quality coaches, volunteers, community sports clubs, newcomers to sport, innovative sport and physical activity projects, and local employers who are supporting their workforce to be more active.
Finally, one special person will be awarded the William Penny Brookes Trophy – the award for outstanding contribution to sport and physical activity given for exceptional dedication and commitment to community sport and helping more people to be active over a number of years.
Chris Child, chief executive for Energize STW said: "Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are home to a number of very talented sports people who deserve recognition for their achievements.
"However, there is also excellent work happening behind the scenes to help people to be more active, regardless of their background or ability, and the Energize Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank the people who are contributing to this as well.
"We know that many of these deserving people are very modest and do not seek recognition, so we rely on the families, friends, colleagues, teachers and team mates to nominate."
If you know people, teams, clubs, organisations or businesses that deserve to be recognised for their achievements or contributions to local sport, please nominate them for an Energize Award.
Neil Back MBE to speak at 2015 awards
Energize is delighted to announce that the special guest speaker at this year's Energize Awards will be Neil Back MBE.
Neil is a world cup-winning former international rugby union footballer for England and the British and Irish Lions who also played for Nottingham RFC, Leicester Tigers, and captained both England and Leicester during his career.
Neil is an ambassador for Rybrook, and Rybrook BMW Shrewsbury is pleased to have secured his services for the 2015 Energize Awards.
A legend of the game, Neil has played a fundamental role in some of the most momentous games of the modern era. A 2003 Rugby World Cup winner, Neil was a key figure in the successful campaign, scoring two tries and finishing his international career with the greatest accolade in rugby to his name.
Beginning his senior playing career at Nottingham RFC, Neil moved to Leicester Tigers after two years, becoming a stalwart figure within the side.
He stayed at the Tigers for the next 18 years as both a player and coach, amassing an amazing 339 caps and 125 tries for the side.
Making his international debut against Scotland in 1994 in the Calcutta Cup and representing England at the 1995 World Cup against South Africa, Neil continually impressed within the squad, leading to a call up for the 1997 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.
Neil played in two tests, contributing significantly with consistent performances towards the side's campaign success.
A master of the maul, he was the Tigers' and the Premierships (16 tries) leading try scorer in 1999 with a major tactic of the side being to kick penalties to touch in order to drive over the line. Among many of Neil's memorable moments in his career, his performance in the 2001 Heineken Cup final must be one of the greatest.
Scoring a try as well as winning the line-out to set up Leon Lloyd's winning try, Neil was instrumental in the side's success.
Representing England and the Tigers as captain on multiple occasions, Neil's leadership ensured his side performed as a unit, becoming a formidable force to any team the squad faced.
Following England's World Cup success in 2003, Neil started his coaching career at Leicester Tigers as a player/coach before switching to a full time career in coaching after his retirement. He retired following the 2005 Lions Tours.
He has since gone on to be head coach of Leeds Carnegie from 2008-2011, The Rugby Football Club (2011) Ltd from 2011-2012 then Edinburgh Rugby 2012-2013.
Neil has won five premiership titles, two European titles and of course, a rugby world cup, a Lions series and has been inducted into the RFU Hall of Fame, making him one of the most celebrated rugby players ever.
As a coach he achieved a premiership title and an Anglo Welsh Cup in 2007 with Leicester Tigers.
Neil will be on hand at the Energize Awards to share his story and present our local sports heroes with their awards on the night.
Energize would like to thank Rybrook BMW Shrewsbury for supporting the awards by securing Neil's appearance.
