AFTER so many delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers of the 46th Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards have announced it will go ahead later this month.

Instead of a ceremony in Newport, it will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

It will be hosted for a second time by Lord Michael Grade of Yarmouth and County Press web editor, Lucy Morgan — and it will be screened on Thursday, March 25, at 7pm.

Winners of all ages, in a host of categories, will be revealed - taking in a diverse range of sports.

Run by the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, the awards celebrate the Island’s sports stars — recognising the outstanding achievement and service.

Normally a gala held at Newport's Medina Theatre, stringent lockdown restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic mean you will be able to watch it for free, on YouTube and Facebook.

Isle of Wight County Press:

One of the hosts for the event, the Isle of Wight County Press's Lucy Morgan, said: "There is a wealth of focussed, driven and achieving sportspeople on the Isle of Wight and it's always a pleasure and a delight to reveal the winners.

"Covid-19 has made everything much more challenging - so an awards ceremony broadcast on Facebook and Youtube seems like the perfect solution.

"Of course it's a real shame that Lord Grade and I won't get to meet the hugely deserving winners in person this year, but going virtual means The Isle of Wight Sports Foundation can still reward those who are flying the Island flag at events, on and off the Island and those who give so much time to get the rest of us off the sofa and into something a little more active." 

Schools, individuals and teams are all nominated. 

Check back in a few days time to meet them all and to find out who won. 

Nominations were judged by an independent panel.