THE countdown is on to the first Active York Sports Awards dinner.

Sporting achievement in the city will be recognised at the dinner at the University of York on Wednesday, April 9, and today we can reveal the first three shortlists of potential winners.

The awards are being organised by Active York - the city's sport and active leisure partnership working to encourage people to be more active more often - and backed by The Press.

The award categories are Young Male Sportsperson, Young Female Sportsperson, Young Disabled Sportsperson, Team/Club Award, Student Sportsperson of the Year, Sportsman, Sportswoman, Disabled Sportsperson, Young Sportsperson of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, Coach/ Volunteer Award, Active School Award and Active Workplace.

The awards will be judged by members of the Active York board, which includes sporting partners from across the city.

The leading nominees in each category will be invited to attend the Active York Sports Awards dinner.

Greg Dyke, chairman of the Football Association and Chancellor of University of York, will be guest speaker at the awards ceremony, which is designed to recognise the achievements and contributions of the city's sporting community.

Further information about the awards can be found by visiting the website www.activeyork.org

The dinner in the Roger Kirk Centre is open to the general public and tickets are priced at £40 per person, or £300 for a table of eight, which includes a pre-dinner drinks reception, a three-course meal, entry to the awards ceremony and an opportunity to hear FA chairman Dyke speak.

A drinks reception will start at 6.15pm, with the dinner and awards following at 6.45pm.

To book tickets, visit activeyork.wordpress.com, email sportandactiveleisure@york.gov.uk or phone 01904 553377 or 07554 334835.


Active York Sports Awards nominees

Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award

Val Kennedy - involved in netball in York for more than 50 years as a player, umpire, coach and tutor for England Netball. Instrumental in setting up Haxby Netball Club.

Dave Scoreby - Dave Scoreby has been a beacon of good practice and excellence in school football in York.

Lewis Gell - Lewis Gell and the Jack Raine Foundation run a successful boxing club and charity providing support to vulnerable young people.

Team/Club Award of the Year

Community Spirit Boxing Club - takes young people with behaviour issues and gives them focus and discipline, making a high impact in Westfield.

Special Olympics City of York - athletes gained nine gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze medals at the Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games, while also achieving regional success.

City of York Hockey Club (junior section) - club boasts more than 300 junior members from the age of five, with teams enjoying success at regional and national level.

Student Sportsperson of the Year Award

Conan Osborne - represented Jamaica at the Stepping Stones Rugby Union Sevens. Joining Toulon academy set-up in France.

Jack Brown - member of the England VX squad, introduced VX to University of York.

Bobbi Phillips - won gold medal in 5,000 metres at BUCS Indoor Athletics Championships last month.