Community and Sports Awards 2024

Citizen of the Year (over 18s)

(Sponsored by Ann et Vin)

We all know of a kind-hearted individual who goes the extra mile to help others in times of need or crisis. Those that dedicate their time to drive for the elderly, do odd jobs or shopping, or volunteer their time for charity.

These citizens are a true inspiration and an asset to the local community with their optimism and willingness to help those that are maybe less fortunate. They might be a carer, volunteer or relative. We are looking for Newark and Sherwood's citizen who has gone the extra mile within the last 12 months.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• A citizen who has fought hard to overcome significant adversity
• A citizen who selflessly strives to excel and go the extra mile
• A citizen who inspires others to want to achieve better
• A citizen who has shown exemplary courage
• A citizen that gives to others without thought of return

Young Person of the Year (up to 17)

(Sponsored by Murphy)

The Young Citizen of the Year Award (under 18) is all about acknowledging the fantastic efforts and achievements made by young people living within Newark and Sherwood.

Some young people have known nothing but an uphill struggle in their life and are constantly optimistic and inspirational as they fight to stay on top. Others choose to dedicate their time and energy to helping people and would never dream of asking for anything in return. They might be a carer, volunteer or relative.

We are looking for Newark and Sherwood's Young Citizen who has gone the extra mile within the last 12 months.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• A young person who has fought hard to overcome significant adversity
• A young person who selflessly strives to excel and go the extra mile
• A young person who inspires others to want to achieve better
• A young person who has shown exemplary courage
• A young person that gives to others without thought of return

Courage and Bravery Award

(Sponsored by The Renaissance at Kelham Hall)

Courage and bravery are interesting words. What does it mean to be courageous and brave?

Some people exude these qualities in everyday life easily without second thoughts. For others, it can be a real struggle to embrace these characteristics, requiring them to dig deep within themselves to be strong in a time of need.

Whatever the case, the Courage and Bravery Award is out there for those people who do something exceptional and exemplary when it comes to showing great strength.

Someone who’s courage has been tested to help others even in the face of the most frightening, desperate or dangerous circumstances. It could be a hero who has performed a daring rescue or an individual who has demonstrated incredible strength and determination in a daunting situation within the last 12 months.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual who has been selfless and dedicated within a heroic act
• An individual who demonstrated strength and determination in a daunting situation
• An individual who has shown exemplary courage

Lifetime Commitment Award

(Sponsored by Radio Newark)

Do you know an individual who has made an outstanding contribution within Newark and Sherwood?

This award is for a unique individual who is recognized as having made an outstanding contribution to the region in his or her area of activity.

We’re looking for that special person who has selflessly helped others, whether in the workplace, an organisation, or in their community over a number of years. They might not seek recognition for themselves, so help us to bring their achievements to a wider audience.

We are looking for the individuals that really deserve a special recognition for a lifetime of achievement and commitment. For example, nominees could be teachers, nurses, community workers, business leaders, anyone that has achieved during their lifetime.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual who selflessly strives to excel and go the extra mile and has done so for a number of years
• An individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the area.
• An individual who inspires others.
• An individual that gives to others without thought of return.

Business Commitment to the Community

(Sponsored by Newark College)

The Business Commitment to the Community Award is to recognise a local business that’s made a significant impact in the community or which has exceeded expectations.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• A business which goes the extra mile whether it be getting involved by volunteering time to clean up streets, litter pick or gardening for example
• A business which inspires others to get involved, takes responsibility, or assumes leadership roles to help make where you live a better place
• A business which has made a positive impact on the local area

Community Champion of the Year

(Sponsored by Harworth)

There are always individuals that go the distance in trying to make their community a much better place and that's what the Community Champion Award is all about recognising.

Do you know someone who makes a significant contribution to their community through their time, actions, talents and dedication?

Maybe it's an individual who acts solely and selflessly and has left a community in a better place than they found it. Maybe it's someone who can inspire and rally a whole community into action into making life better for all.

Do you know an unsung Community Champion?

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual that dedicates time for the benefit of their community
• An individual who strives to make life more enjoyable for others
• An individual who inspires those around them to be better people

Community Group of the Year

(Sponsored by Bakkavor)

Sometimes teamwork makes all the difference when working on a project, initiative or within a club/group environment.

Do you know a Community Group who makes a significant contribution to their community through their time, actions, talents and dedication.

Who is your unsung Community Group?

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• A group that dedicates time for the benefit of their community
• A group who strives to make life more enjoyable for others
• A group who inspires those around them to be better people

Education Provider of the Year

(Sponsored by Elements Green)

This Education Award is open to individuals who can demonstrate outstanding educational success or support within a learning environment. For example, this could be someone who influences and affects the lives of children and students. It could be a caretaker, a lolly pop person, after school supervisor or teacher.

We are interested to hear about the inspirational qualities of this person and what or who influenced their endeavour.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual who selflessly strives to go the extra mile to support students
• An individual who inspires others to want to achieve better
• An individual that gives to others without thought of return

Emergency Services and Armed Forces Award

(Sponsored by Motorfinity)

Emergency services play a vital role in the Newark and Sherwood community and this recognises those local heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty.

This community nominated award is for both paid and volunteer personnel. This could be a volunteer first responder, special constable, retained firefighter or those employed within these frontline sectors.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual who has been selfless and dedicated within a heroic act
• An individual who demonstrated strength and determination in a daunting situation
• An individual who has shown exemplary courage

Creating Change for Sport and Physical Activity Award

(Sponsored by Active4Today)

Recognising groups or projects that have helped challenge the norm. Applicants will have gone above and beyond to help create vibrant, self-sufficient, physically active local communities in Newark and Sherwood.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• Applications welcome from a place, project, community group, sports team or sports club
• Applications should have challenged and overcome barriers to achieve change in or across the district
• The system change should be self-sustaining and support the vibrancy within our local communities

Sports Individual of the Year

(Sponsored by Smiths Timber)

Recognising individuals that have achieved significant change in themselves, demonstrating their ambition and focus on achieving the very best and always looking to improve.

This may be a sporting achievement/success or participation in a non-sporting (physical activity) context.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• Applications welcomed from juniors (U18) or seniors (18+) who have excelled in the participation of their chosen sport or physical activity, demonstrating supreme performance or outstanding development at their level
• Individuals who have gone on to represent the district at a wider level will be considered, so long as their roots are within the Newark and Sherwood area

Sports Team of the Year

(Sponsor TBC)

Recognising teams who have achieved significant change in local sport or physical activity and who are a real asset to their community.

We’re not necessarily looking for a team who has won lots of trophies but a group who has made a real positive difference to the area and has supported local people to get into sport.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• The team needs to be based in the Newark and Sherwood district and can be any sport
• Potential teams should have demonstrated significant influence in their own sport or physical activity setting
• Regardless whether the team has done well or not, sometimes sport can be much more than results. We’re looking for teams who have made a positive impact in their communities and have brought people together.

Irena Sendler Humanitarian Award

(Sponsored by Polish Cultural Institute)

Irena Sendler (1910-2008) was an exceptional social activist and humanitarian whose remarkable selflessness and desire to seek to help others, even in the face of great personal risk to her own life, led her to help save the lives of approximately 2,500 Jewish children from the Holocaust during WWII.

For this award we’re looking for individuals who put others first and go above and beyond supporting those in the community. This could be helping a neighbour during an emergency, supporting families effected by flooding or providing a helping hand at a food bank. This award focuses on those selfless acts which can sometimes go unnoticed.

Key points that the judges will be looking for:

• An individual who has helped in a crisis, this could be a one-off event or someone who volunteers their time regularly to support those that need it most.
• Someone who has made a significant impact in their community and goes out of their way to help others.