Voting has officially opened to crown this year’s Disabled Sports Personality of the Year at the eagerly-anticipated Active Essex Sports Awards 2018, which celebrates sporting achievements from grassroots to professional level.
The full shortlist has been announced and the finalists are now invited to attend a glittering ceremony at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Wednesday 5th December.
The Disabled Sports Personality of the Year award recognises an individual who has made an incredible impact at a national or international level, either individually or as part of a team. Freya Levy (England Wheelchair Rugby), Hannah Stodel (Team GB Sailor) and Richard Chiassaro (Team GB T54 and last year’s winner) have been shortlisted.
Essex residents are now urged to cast their votes online to crown this year’s winner.
Director of Active Essex, Jason Fergus, said: “The Essex public have submitted hundreds of inspirational nominations to celebrate the achievements of local sports clubs, coaches, volunteers and talented athletes including many that demonstrate the long-lasting impact that inclusive sport can have on changing lives and communities. We would like to thank everybody who has made a nomination and congratulate the finalists.”
The other two awards to be decided by public vote are Sports Personality of the Year and the Unsung Hero categories. The Unsung Hero award recognises volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to local sport in their community.
In total, there are 11 categories at this year’s awards, including Services to Inclusive Sport, Community Club of the Year, and the Young Sports Personality of the Year – which will be presented by double Olympic gymnastics champion Max Whitlock MBE.
Commenting on the final shortlist, Max Whitlock MBE, said: “It is such a great achievement to be recognised by your local community for your sporting achievements. I look forward to presenting the Young Sports Personality of the year award to an upcoming sports hero on the night and encourage everybody to cast your votes in the public vote categories.”
Votes for all categories can be cast at https://www.activeessex.org/public-vote-sports-awards-2018/ and voting closes on Sunday, November 18th.
The Active Essex Sports Awards recognise individuals and organisations who have made outstanding contributions to sport and physical activity in Greater Essex.
Active Essex, the County Sports Partnership, aims to increase the levels of participation in physical activity and sport and its mission is to change 1 million lives by getting Essex active.
Active Essex 2018 Shortlist
Public Vote Categories
Disabled Sports Personality of the Year (Public vote), sponsored by Active Essex Foundation
- Freya Levy (Rochford, rugby) – Freya currently represents the UK and England in Rugby 7’s and scored her first international try on her debut game in France in April.
- Hannah Stodel (Colchester, sailor) – Born missing her right lower arm, the Paralympic sailor has beaten the odds to become a three-time World Champion and four-time Paralympian.
- Richard Chiassaro (Harlow, wheelchair racing) – Richard broke the World Record in the T54 800m wheelchair race, becoming the first person to clock a time under one minute 31 seconds.
Sports Personality of the Year (Public vote), sponsored by Chelmsford City Racecourse
- Alastair Cook (Chelmsford, cricket) – England’s highest run-scorer in international Test cricket earned his place among the pantheon of sporting legends after retiring in September.
- Hannah Stodel (Colchester, sailor) – Born missing her right lower arm, the Paralympic sailor has beaten the odds to become a three-time World Champion and four-time Paralympian.
- Jo Harten (Harlow, netball) – England Netball captain Jo Harten helped her country claim a dramatic victory over Australia to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Unsung Hero (Public vote), sponsored by Spotlight Sound
- Adrian Marsh (Uttlesford) – Adrian is the current chairman of Plantation Youth Football Team and he has been involved in the club since it was formed in 1983.
- Nicola Arnold (Harlow) – Nicola has been involved with the Harlow Penguins swimming club for over 35 years, originally joining as a swimmer herself.
- Richard Kheder (Chelmsford) – Richard is a black belt in karate and a qualified referee, and has supported his club for over 35 years.
Judged Categories
Active Workplace of the Year, sponsored by Essex County Council
- Basildon Council (Basildon)
- HTS Property Services Ltd (Harlow)
- NHS Mid Essex CCG (Chelmsford)
This award is for an employee or employer who has been the driving force in getting colleagues within their organisation active. The employee/ employer has implemented innovative ideas to change the workplace sedentary behaviour culture by creating an environment that actively encourages physical activity within the working day and embeds an ethos of health and wellbeing among staff.
Changing Lives through Sport and Physical Activity, sponsored by Fusion
- Essex Fit Mums (Basildon)
- Fitness in Mind (Brentwood)
- Happy Hearts Exercise (Maldon)
This award is for an organisation, group or individual who can demonstrate they have made a positive impact on people’s lives through a sport or physical activity project. For example by increasing participation, promoting stronger, safer communities or improving health and wellbeing.
Coach of the Year, sponsored by Everyone Active
- Garry Leach (Harlow, trampolining)
- Jane Naylor-Jones (Maldon, Karate)
- Jazz Stark (Braintree, basketball)
This award is for someone who is committed to providing the highest standard of coaching to their athletes and/ or for helping other coaches to develop – someone who goes above and beyond.
Community Club of the Year, sponsored by Genesis PR
- Bowers Pitsea Youth Football Club (Pitsea, football)
- Brentwood Volleyball Club (Brentwood, volleyball)
- Harlow Penguins Swimming Club (Harlow, swimming)
This award is for a local club that has significantly developed and/or performed well and developed in the last year at district, county, regional and international level.
Education Champion of the Year, sponsored by Jump Street
- Abbotsweld Primary Academy (Harlow)
- Church Langley Primary School (Harlow)
- Thameside Primary School (Grays)
A School, college, university or early years setting that gives its pupils a wide range of opportunities to participate in high quality physical education and extra curriculum sport and that is helping young people to understand and embrace daily exercise for the benefit of their health and wellbeing. The institution should show a continued commitment to club links.
Services to Inclusive Sport, sponsored by Sport England
- Disability 4 Sport (Colchester)
- Epping Forest Inclusion Project (Epping Forest)
- Motivated Minds (Basildon)
- Sport for Confidence (Basildon)
This award is for an individual or an organisation that has made a significant contribution in the last year to advancing sport and physical activity for people with disabilities.
Young Sports Personality of the Year, sponsored by Intelligent Health
- Alice Kinsella (Basildon, Gymnastics)
- Ottillie Robinson-Shaw (Tendring, Kayak)
- Sam Bennett (Basildon, Athletics)
This award is for a young athlete (under 18) who has made a significant impact over the last year at a regional, national or international level, either individually or as part of a team.
Young Volunteer, sponsored by Healthwatch Essex
- Alfie Davidson (Tendring, football)
- Ben Phillips & Reefe Ellis (Braintree, basketball)
- Emily Brown (Basildon, netball)
- Imogen Giddings (Maldon, parkrun)
This award is for a young volunteer (under 18) who has made an outstanding contribution to local sport. It could be a dedicated volunteer within a sports club setting who deserves recognition for their commitment to supporting and developing the club and its members.
