Who deserves to be named Sportsperson or Sports Team of the Year?

The 17-year-old beat off some tough competition from Bank Quay Bulls U14s and Alexandra Wilcock from AJ Stars to take home the Sportsperson of the Year Award 2023.

Do you know someone sporty who deserves to be nominated for this year’s award?

Or would you like to nominate a team that’s had unexpected success over the past 12 months.

We’re looking to honour more of the town’s fantastic young people at this year’s Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards with a glittering award ceremony at The Village Hotel on Thursday, April 25.

A dozen of Warrington’s most inspirational individuals, groups and teams will be recognised for their hard work over the past 12 months.

Do you know someone who deserves one of this year’s awards?

Sportsperson or Team of the Year 2024 is one of 12 honours we will be giving out to charity champions, health heroes and good neighbours in our annual Inspiration Awards.

Do you know someone who has shown real bravery or courage?

Have they overcome adversity in their personal lives or gone beyond the call of duty by risking their own safety to help others?

We want to hear about all the inspirational people, teams and organisations who make a difference in the lives of others living in the town.

Tell us your nominations for Warrington’s most hardworking and inspirational residents.

The awards given out on the night will honour the positive people living and working at the centre of our community and recognising their hard work, determination and acts of kindness as well as sporting achievements.

2023's Sportsperson of the Year winner Khovan Hussein with awards presenter Leanne Campbell

Like Khovan, who was just two years old, when he was diagnosed with autism.

Then at the age of six he was told he had ADHD and Tourette’s at 17.

He struggled to socialise and communicate with people until he took up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when he was 15.

This changed his life and showed that no matter what your troubles, sport will help you find a way through.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Khovan was told he needed to shield so he decided to film short exercise videos to send to his teacher and fellow students to keep fit while the country was in lockdown.

The nomination for Khovan said: “He became an assistant coach for martial arts at college and secured a gym placement, where he comes up with circuit plans for gym-goers.”

The teenager, who picked up The Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero Award in May 2022, has won numerous awards in the sport over the last few years.

When he started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes his confidence grew and he started to communicate with other people, socialising in class and at home.

As his confidence grew so did his desire to compete in the sport and he won gold, silver and bronze medals across the UK, fighting hard against his own anxieties as well as challenging sensory stimuli.

Every year, the Wargrave House School and College student fundraises for charity with the campaign for 2022 collecting money for Tourette’s Action.

This involved the youngster shaving his head, waxing his chest, throwing a fancy dress Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ball and running a marathon.

Khovan’s nomination for the inspiration award ended by saying “he is a true inspiration” and the judges agreed.

When he accepted the award on stage, Khovan said: “I’ve worked hard to get where I am.

“My disabilities held me back more than others but my mum and the rest of my family helped and made things much easier.”

Do you know someone as inspirational as Khovan? Would you like to nominate someone or a group of people for our next awards?

There are 12 categories honouring the most inspirational people living in Warrington and we need your nominations.

HOW TO NOMINATE: See our list of award categories below and then CLICK HERE TO FILL IN AN ENTRY FORM or scan the QR code.

The closing date for entries is Friday, March 1.

Scan the QR code to make a nomination

For your nomination to be considered please include your name and full contact details, along with those of the person, business or organisation you are nominating, the name of the category and your full reasons for nominating them.

If you would like your business or organisation to be part of the event and sponsor one of our awards alongside our main partner Warrington Borough Council, please email nikki.whinnett@localiq.co.uk for further information.

Here are the 12 categories set to be awarded on the night:

1. SPORTSPERSON / SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

We want to hear about the achievements of Warrington’s finest, either in their field of expertise or in furthering sport in the community. Nominations are welcome for both adults and junior achievers.

2. CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY sponsored by Sellafield Ltd

This award is for an individual or organisation in the town that has made a significant contribution to the community.

3. EVERYDAY HERO AWARD sponsored by Belong

This award recognises those who put others first, keep spirits high with people they meet and make a difference to the lives of those in their neighbourhood or the street they live in through their kindness and compassion.

4. FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

5. JUNIOR FUNDRAISER OF THE YEAR

We want to hear about those who have committed to raising money or giving time to a good cause. Nominations are welcome for individuals or groups and there will be separate awards for adults and youngsters.

6. CHILD/TEENAGER OF THE YEAR

This year’s winner will be for a youngster who has either battled against the odds to help others, been an outstanding achiever in their studies or extra-curricular activities, or put themselves at risk to help someone less fortunate or in danger.

7. HEALTH HERO OF THE YEAR

We are looking for an unsung hero working or volunteering within a hospital, surgery or health environment who has shown exceptional care or contributed to making someone’s visit or stay more enjoyable.

8. EDUCATION HERO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Chester University

This award will recognise those working in schools and colleges across Warrington, from teachers and head teachers to support staff and governors.

9. COURAGE AWARD

This award is to honour those who have either overcome adversity in their personal lives or gone beyond the call of duty, perhaps by risking their own safety to help others.

Nominations could be received for an individual, team or emergency services workers.

10. CHARITY OF THE YEAR

We are looking to recognise a Warrington charity that has been committed in its efforts to helping people in the town through its fundraising and tireless community work.

11. TEAM OF THE YEAR

We want to celebrate a team that has achieved success by working together. Nominations can be received from all walks of life, from schools and businesses to hospital departments and voluntary groups.

12. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT sponsored by Warrington Borough Council

A prestigious award for the person who has made an outstanding contribution in Warrington over several years.

(Please note that our judges will also have the discretion to present further special recognition awards on the night)