![Sports Award Launch, Hilton Hotel, Reading. Photo by Chris Forsey.](https://cdn.prgloo.com/media/6994b089e5834cbb85baa60f83f37c5a.jpg?width=968&height=1452)
Reading Sports Awards kick-off for 2024!
- Reading Sports Personality Awards return for 2024
- Partnering with Reading-based charity, Sport in Mind, to showcase Reading’s wealth of sporting talent
- Nominations open until Friday 20 September 2024
A NIGHT of celebrating Reading’s sporting stars is making a comeback this year, as the Reading Sports Awards were launched at the Hilton Hotel, Reading last week.
First launched in 1998, the Reading Sports Personality Awards shine a light on the achievements of sports clubs, schools, colleges, and exceptional individuals.
After a fallow year in 2023, the awards are proud to partner with Sport in Mind, the UK's leading mental health sports charity, to showcase Reading’s wealth of sporting talent.
Neil Harris, founder and CEO of Sport in Mind, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Reading Sports Awards this year. At Sport in Mind, we use sport and physical activity to transform the lives of people struggling with their mental health, and so it is really important to us as an organisation that the power of sport is championed, and that every win should be celebrated.
"The fact that the awards include categories involving schools, junior players and most improved is heavily aligned with what Sport in Mind stands for, and we are incredibly proud to shine a light on the importance of sport for our mental wellbeing for both adults and the youth of today. It is a personally proud moment for me that the awards are celebrating individuals from Reading- the home town of Sport in Mind and where it all started for us as an organisation.”
The categories are:
- Improver of the Year
- Clubperson of the Year
- Katie Henderson Memorial Trophy for Commitment to Sport
- Veteran of the Year
- Mayor’s Award
- Helper/ Loyalty Award
- School Personality of the Year
- Junior Team of the Year
- Team of the Year
- Club of the Year
- Junior Sports Personality of the Year
The night’s main award, Sports Personality of the Year, is also known as the Richard Burns Memorial Trophy. It honours Reading-born British rally driver Richard Burns, the only Englishman to have ever won the World Rally Championship as a driver. Burns sadly died in 2005, and since then the award bearing his name has been presented by friend and fellow racing driver, Johnny Mowlem.
Cllr Glenn Dennis, Mayor of Reading, said:
“The Reading Sports Awards showcases the true dedication and determination of our local sports stars. Some have overcome real difficulties to get where they are and it’s an honour to celebrate their achievements at this annual event.
“I’d like to thank all the awards supporters – Reading Today, Sport in Mind, The Hilton Hotel Reading, Johnny Mowlem and Cherubs Floral Design – without you, it wouldn’t be possible to run these awards, thank you from myself and the organising committee for all your help and support.
“I’d like to encourage everyone to visit the official Reading Sports Awards webpage at www.reading.gov.uk/sportsawards2024 and start nominating our very deserving local sports stars!”
Nominations for the 2024 Sports Awards are open until Friday 20 September. The only qualifying criteria is that the nominee(s) must either live in the Borough of Reading or be a pupil at a Reading-based school.
ENDS