VOTE: Nominations open for the 2024 Bradford Sports Awards

The glitzy bash will be at the Life Centre on Wapping Road on Friday, May 17, and it is your chance to shine a light on the coaches, volunteers, athletes and administrators who make sports clubs and organisations tick.

Now in its eighth year, the awards, organised by Active Bradford - a partnership that was created to make Bradford a healthier and more prosperous place to work and live - and launched at Bradford Park Avenue Cricket Ground, have grown into one of the biggest nights on the Bradford sporting calender.

In all, 26 awards will be presented in seven main categories - senior achievers, young achievers, active achievers, professional achievers, team achievers, ethical contribution and outstanding contribution.

James Mason and Charles Dacres, co chairs of Active Bradford, said: “The awards are an extraordinary community event that celebrate every facet of the sporting community.

“From beginners to professionals, and those competing at the highest level, these awards recognise the diverse spirit of sport.

“Also let’s not forget the dedicated volunteers who contribute to making sports and active lifestyles thrive in Bradford district.”

Mason added: “It is a way to recognise the parents and guardians who turn up on cold winter evenings or baking hot summer nights, and the awards go from them to disability sport and community sports right through to professionals.

“At a time in the world where there is lots to be sad about it is a chance to come together and celebrate, and there is also the message that being active improves our mental and physical health.

“The way that the awards have grown is huge credit to Wayne Jacobs and Active Bradford, despite Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, cutbacks and austerity, and there were over 500 people there at last year’s awards, which is phenomenal and demonstrates just how strong the sporting bond is within Bradford.

“The Life Centre is a fantastic venue with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment and can host a lot of people and it will be a great night.”

Dacres added: “The night elevates me, but is not just the sporting achievement, it is the contribution that people make.

“We often forget that there are people who make sure that sporting events, such as crown green bowling or darts, can take place, whether that is organising, making teas and coffees or cleaning up.

“It is not just about football, cricket or rugby. We want other sports to be nominated.”

Meanwhile, the official charity of this year’s awards will resonate with many - the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

Mason said: “Chris Rimmer and Stephen Darby were both diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and Chris lost his life last year. Stephen is well known across the city and embodies what it is to be a sporting hero around Bradford, and is now a man battling the disease, and we wanted to support him and the Darby Rimmer Foundation, not only on the night but beforehand for what is a terrible disease.”

Former Bradford City player Darby said: “On behalf of myself and the Darby Rimmer Foundation, we are humbled that the Darby Rimmer Foundation has been chosen as their charity partner for May’s awards.

“I loved my time playing for Bradford City. It was an honour and privilege to represent the club and the city.

“Bradford will always have a special place in my heart, and the Bradford Sports Awards are a tremendous way of recognising special achievements by sports stars of today and tomorrow from this amazing city.”

The headline partner for this year’s awards are JU:MP, with support from Bradford College, Bradford City of Culture 2025, the Broadway Shopping Centre, Bradford Ice Arena, Leeds Trinity University, Bradford Bulls, the Yorkshire Sport Foundation and the West Riding County FA.

Nominations for the awards close on Friday, March 8 and can be submitted at www.activebradford.com/bsa