Isle of Wight County Press:

THIS week will be the last chance for the Island to support its unsung heroes with their nominations for the 45th annual Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards.

A ceremony to celebrate the Island’s sports stars of 2018 will be held at Newport’s Medina Theatre on Thursday, April 4 — hosted by former BBC and ITV chief, Lord Michael Grade, of Yarmouth.

The ceremony celebrates the Island’s sporting success stories — recognising outstanding achievement or service from sportsmen and women in 2018.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, January 25.

Isle of Wight Sports Foundation trustee Susie Sheldon, the Island’s next Lord Lieutenant, in March this year, said she wants County Press readers to nominate worthy candidates.

“The awards is a great event that showcases the amazing sporting talent we have on the Island and the wonderful volunteers and officials who give their time to make it all possible,” she said.

Categories are listed on the nomination form, but deserving nominations, even if they do not appear to fit into one of them, are also encouraged.

Awards include not only for sports achievers, but for sportsmanship and to coaches, volunteers and schools which have done most to promote local sport.

All nominations will be judged by an independent panel.

Each nominee will be awarded a certificate, with the finalists invited to the IW Sports Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Sarah Willis, of the IW Sports Foundation, said: “The individual sports reports published in the County Press each week shows there is much to proclaim — but there are also many unsung heroes.

“We would like to see as many sports and clubs as possible represented in the nominations, so do please consult your coaches, committee members, youth leaders and trustees and make as many nominations as you feel are appropriate.”

To download the nomination form, use the following link: www.iowsports.org/pdfs/Sports-Awards-CandidateNomination-Form-2018.docx