Press Release

Derry District Sports Council

Thursday, 10 December 2009

The annual District Sports Council Awards ceremony within the Derry City Council area will take place in the Guildhall on Wednesday 20th January 2010.

The prestigious ceremony was established in 1980 in order to pay tribute to local sporting figures. The award categories cover male and female competitors, individual and teams, and range across youth, juvenile, senior and master age groups.

Also catered for are those individuals who remain firmly in the shadows but without who sport could not exist. The awards categories for “Sport Coach Award” and “Services to Sport Award” have in the past been two of the most eagerly contested awards and it is anticipated that this year will be no different.

Nomination forms are currently available at all the local leisure centres. Forms are available on the Derry City Council website on www.derrycity.gov.uk/sportsawards and also from the Development Department in the Civic Offices.

Interested parties are asked to note the earlier closing date for receipt of completed nomination forms is 12 noon on Monday 21 December 2009.

Councillor Helen Quigley, chairperson of Derry City Council's Development Committee, which incorporates sports development, said it was important that sporting excellence was recognised.

"We have been privileged that local sporting figures have enjoyed great success over the years and it is fitting that their achievements are recognised at ceremonies such as this.

"However, it is equally important that the people behind the scenes are also given credit for their hard work and the annual District Sports Council Awards ensures that their efforts do not go unrewarded.

"Sport in our Council area plays a huge role in the lives of so many people and we have a rich heritage of producing top class competitors, coaches, administrators and officials. It is important that these people are recognised for their achievements and skills and in turn they can act as role models for our younger sports people"

Commenting on the forthcoming awards, the Chairman of the Derry District Sports Council, Mr Paddy Canning said: “A lot of hard work has been done in the past year by the many and varied sports people from the area who have achieved success in their own disciplines. It is now up to the public from the Derry City Council area to recognise these achievements and nominate the competitors for the 2009 District Sports Awards.”

Press Office

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