Sponsors sought for sports awards

Businesses in and around Teignbridge are being invited to sponsor categories at this year’s Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards.

Category sponsorship opportunities remain for the ceremony which celebrates the best in community sport and support on Friday 28 November at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren.

The annual awards ceremony has become one of the largest of its kind, recognising and rewarding a number of athletes, teams, volunteers, coaches, and unsung heroes for their hard work and dedication to sport, health and physical activity across the District and many local communities.

Teignbridge is inviting businesses, clubs and organisations to become part of this prestigious event by offering opportunities for sponsorship. In return businesses will be promoted on Palm FM, a long-term sponsor of the awards, online, and with lots of promotional activity on the night itself – with two tickets thrown in for good measure.

Cllr George Gribble, Teignbridge Executive Spokesman for Communities, Recreation and Leisure said: “We have lots of sponsorship opportunities on offer and are keen to hear from local businesses who’d like to support sports, show their appreciation for local sportspeople and volunteers”

“Nominations are starting to roll in – but there is still loads of time to send yours in. 2014 has been such a great year for sport – the Commonwealth Games saw former Sports Personality of the Year winner and local woman Natalie Melmore scoop two silver medals and Teignbridge retained its crown at the Devon Games to Inspire earlier in the summer – so we are looking forward to celebrating it with another special occasion.

“We expect over 200 people from across the district to attend the ceremony, many of whom are nominees, nominators and guests from local sports clubs, schools and organisations. For local businesses, the awards event will provide a unique local opportunity to show support for sports and sportspeople while reaching a valuable target audience.”

And there are a few businesses that have already signed up to sponsor a category, Thanks goes to; Seymour Horwell (Sponsoring Junior Sportswoman of the Year), Lamar Decorators ltd (Sponsoring Volunteer of the Year), Southlands Residential Care Homes (Sponsoring Junior Sportman of the year) and Sport England’s Sports Bug project (Sponsoring Services to Sport in the Community).

More are being sought including an event sponsor after Newton Abbot Races Ltd’s three-year tenure as headline sponsor came to a conclusion.

Nikki Taylor, Teignbridge District Council’s Active Leisure Development Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Newton Abbot Races Ltd, particularly racecourse managing director Pat Masterson, for the fantastic support over the past three years. They have not just offered financial support, but have played a major part in the selection of winners as part of the official judging panel.

“We hope that we can attract a new overall sponsor who will help us to continue hosting one of the longest standing local authority awards ceremonies in the South West.”

Nominations are currently being welcomed across all categories of awards, with shortlisted nominees expected to be announced by the end of September. At the awards many local teams, clubs, young leaders, volunteers, coaches and performers will be recognised and rewarded for their hard work and dedication to sport and physical activity.

Any company wishing to be a category sponsor for 2014 can contact Nikki Taylor, Active Leisure Development Officer on 01626 215611 or nikki.taylor@teignbridge.gov.uk. Visit www.teignbridge.gov.uk/sportspersonalityawards for more details.