Regional Volunteer Awards 2023

As a sport we are indebted to the volunteers that make athletics and running happen.
The regional volunteer awards are organised in partnership with Regional Councils and provide an opportunity
to celebrate the fantastic contribution that athletics and running volunteers make to our sport. 

Nominations for 2023 are now closed (27 July 2023)

Nominations for 2023 are now closed (27 July 2023)

Our Club Support Manager Richard Ayling talks about the awards and how to nominate:

Nominating

In 2023 we celebrate volunteer excellence in 8 categories:

  • Contribution to Running
  • Club Leader of the Year
  • Club of the Year
  • Coach of the Year
  • Community Project of the Year
  • Inspiring Official of the Year
  • Newcomer to Volunteering
  • Services to Athletics and Running

Why nominate?

The regional volunteer awards are here to recognise volunteers who are often under appreciated and don’t get the recognition they deserve. Volunteers may well have enhanced an experience that has benefitted you, friends, family, residents, students, colleagues, club members, etc. Thanking volunteers can be so powerful and we have seen how much this has meant to volunteers and their loved ones in previous years. We would like to use the awards to say thank you for all the time that is dedicated to athletics and running and encourage you to make a nomination. Nominations close 26 July.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I nominate?

In May 2023, you will be able to start nominating individuals for regional awards. The nominations will be open until 26 July. You can nominate anybody if they meet the awards criteria (they don’t have to be a member of your club).

How are the awards reviewed?

After the nominations are received, independent panels for each region review the awards. Those who are shortlisted for an award are invited to a volunteer award event in November. Those who are shortlisted will be contacted in September.

Is there a national event?

Yes. An independent panel will assess the winners from each region. National winners will be invited to an awards dinner. This will be held in January/February. The location is still TBC.

Where are the regions?

East, East Midlands, London, North East, North-West, South East, South West and West Midlands.

Can a club submit more than one nomination?

Yes, you can submit as many nominations as you like and nominate multiple volunteers within your club! You can also nominate more than one individual per category.

Is there any benefit in getting multiple members to nominate the same person?

No, there isn’t.

The number of nominations received for each person doesn’t have any impact on the scoring process. We would encourage nominations to be coordinated and focus on putting together one strong nomination.

How long is 200 words?

The three nomination description boxes in the online form allow a maximum of 200 words each. To give you an idea of how long this is, each paragraph on this web page is about 50 words.

e.g. from Back for 2023 are…   plus Within your local club …   plus The regional volunteer awards are here to recognise…   plus Volunteering in our sport can be extremely rewarding….

…add up to about 200 words!

So try to answer the questions but tell the story and don’t get off topic too much!

Can a Leader in Running Fitness be nominated for Coach of the Year?

This award is targeted at lead coaches. If the individual you are nominating doesn’t have a Level 2+, Athletics Coach or Coach in Running Fitness qualification they will not be considered for the award.

When you submit your nomination, you will receive a notification?

After you have submitted a nomination, you will receive an email afterwards along with a copy of your nomination text. You’ll hear by the end of September if it was successful; if not we thank you for your time and hope you will try again next year.

Will the person you have nominated be made aware that they have been nominated?

Yes. After you nominate somebody, they will receive an email from England Athletics highlighting that they have been nominated for an award.

What is the difference between Community Project of the Year award and Contribution to Running?
  • Firstly, the community project of the year award is open to both athletics and running clubs.
  • Secondly, community project of the year focuses on how a project has benefitted the community.
  • Thirdly, nominations in the contribution to running category are purely running based projects.
  • Finally, the purpose of the categories is to highlight 2 different aims; the Community Project of the Year award is about showcasing how athletics and running can benefit the community, whereas Contribution to Running has been created to highlight those that have provided focussed opportunities for people to run.
Can I nominate a person who has passed away?

Nominating a person who has passed away can be very cathartic. It also lets their friends and family know how much they were appreciated.

So we are happy to receive nominations for a person who has passed away in the last year (i.e. the nomination period).

You might want to put your own email in the box for their email address.

Further information

Volunteering opportunities in athletics and running

Volunteering in our sport can be extremely rewarding – sharing your knowledge and passion with others to get more people into and enjoying our sport.

If you’re inspired by our Regional Volunteer Awards, and would like to get involved, then you can find out more by clicking the headings below: