Final call for nominations for 2023 Drayne’s Farm Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Sports Awards

Nominations will remain open for the 2023 Drayne’s Farm Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Sports Awards until Monday 2 October 2023 at 12pm.  Held annually, the prestigious awards aim to recognise the wealth of sporting talent of individuals and teams, residing or based, in the Lisburn and Castlereagh area.

The awards evening will take place at a ceremony held at La Mon Hotel & Country Club on Friday 17 November 2023. The event will focus on the sporting achievements of individuals and teams either through direct participation in sport or contributions as a coach or administrator. 

Nomination categories are now open for; Sports Club of the Year, Sports Coach of the Year, Senior Sports Club Team of the Year, Junior Sports Club Team of the Year, School Sports Team of the Year, Junior Sports Personality of the Year, Senior Sports Personality of the Year, Sports Person with a Disability of the Year and Disability Sports Team of the Year. 

The Alison Slater Junior and David Edwards Senior Merit Awards are also available to commend volunteers for their dedication and essential behind the scenes support to their club.

This year’s awards ceremony will again be presented by broadcaster and event host Claire McCollum with the Special Guest to be announced in the coming weeks.

Launching the 2023 Drayne’s Farm Sports Awards, the Chairman of the Council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee, Councillor Thomas Beckett said, “The Sports Awards recognises significant achievement and commitment to voluntary sport within the LCCC area.  Given the wide range of sporting success in Lisburn and Castlereagh, the awards are a fantastic way to celebrate and mark the difference our athletes and teams are making to their communities.

“The closing date to make a nomination for the Sports Awards is Friday 2nd October 2023. I would urge everyone to take a moment to nominate an individual, club or school for the opportunity to get the recognition their sporting achievements deserve,” concluded Councillor Beckett.

Jimmy Walker, Chairperson of Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh added, “I am delighted that Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh can work in partnership with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for once again to recognise those locally who have encountered sporting success over the last year.

“The dedication and determination demonstrated by the athletes in terms of hours of training, whilst juggling other life commitments, is no mean feat. We also look to recognise those unsung heroes whose valuable technical support and coaching are not only vital, but an inspiration to others.

“I would like to thank Drayne’s Farm for kindly sponsoring the awards and I hope many clubs and individuals will be encouraged to take the time to make a nomination and celebrate the wealth of sporting greatness in Lisburn & Castlereagh.”

Ewan McAteer, winner of the 2022 Senior Sports Personality of the Year Award added, “It was an incredible experience to be nominated for an award last year, but to win the Senior Sports Personality of the Year surpassed my expectations.  2022 was a phenomenal year for myself as I competed at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and became the first ever gymnast from Northern Ireland to make a final on the vault. I was also selected to represent Ireland for the European Championships and competed at the World Cup as a senior for the first time, all whilst studying dentistry full time, which I have recently graduated from.

My gymnastics journey started with City of Lisburn Salto National Gymnastics Centre back when I was age 8. Being recognised locally with this award is an honour and I hope I can continue to show that hard work and dedication does pay off!”

Nominations are welcome from schools, clubs and individuals, residing or based in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area.

Nomination forms can be completed online www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/things-to-do/sports-development/sports-awards-2023 Further information if required can be obtained by emailing faron.morrison@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.

The closing date for applications is strictly Monday 2nd October 2023 at 12 noon.