Believe Sports Awards 2023

The Believe Sports Awards are back for 2023!

Following the amazing success of last year’s ceremony, we’ll be returning to The Edge, Wigan for another night of celebration on Saturday 7^th October.

Organised and hosted by Wigan Council’s Be Well leisure and wellbeing services, the Believe Sports Awards sponsored by JJH Ltd (external link) are all about recognising and rewarding the rising stars, high achievers and unsung heroes of our local community sports scene.

Make a nomination

We want you to join us in celebrating the achievements of local athletes and the work volunteers do to support grassroots sports and community initiatives.

Get involved by nominating your sporting hero! Perhaps it’s an inspiring club secretary, club official or volunteer? Maybe it’s someone who’s improved their quality of life through sport, or an outstanding team / club that have shown true commitment or worked to champion and empower others? 

Take a look at the eight award categories below and get nominating!

Closing date for nominations is midnight Monday 31 July 2023.

All nominations will be reviewed by an independent judging panel representing sport across Wigan Borough.

Award categories

• Changing Lifestyle Award (external link) sponsored by Technogym (external link) - Recognising the efforts of an individual who has used sport or physical activity to transform their lifestyle for the better.
• Club of the Year Award (external link) sponsored by Wigan & Leigh College - Recognising the achievements of a club, and demonstrating ongoing commitment through opportunities they have provided over the last 12 months.
• Inclusion in Sport Award (external link) sponsored by XN Leisure (external link) - Recognising a project or organisation that has tackled inequalities through sport and physical activity, removing barriers and improving participants’ experiences. It will have championed, inspired or empowered underrepresented groups, resulting in sustained or increased engagement over the past 12 months.
• Sporting Challenge Award (external link) sponsored by Leigh Leopards (external link) - Recognising an individual who has shown drive and determination not to give up, who has overcome obstacles or personal difficulties to achieve their specific goal, or who has shown dedication in their sport.
• The Martin Lynn Team of the Year Award (external link) sponsored by Wigan Warriors Community Foundation (external link) - Recognising the achievements of a club or school team who have achieved success, competed at a consistently high level and demonstrated a dedication to training, while also showing a commitment to fair play and a good sporting attitude throughout the year.
• Unsung Hero in Sport Award (external link) sponsored by Agilisys (external link) - Recognising long-term outstanding service to sport from an individual. Nominees must have been volunteering for at least 10 years.
• Volunteer of the Year Award (external link) sponsored by  Wigan Athletic Community Trust (external link) - Recognising the efforts of a volunteer who is seen as invaluable within their club or local community, demonstrating their passion and commitment for volunteering.
• Young Sports Achiever of the Year Award (external link) sponsored by Edge Hill University (external link) - A young athlete who is excelling and is demonstrating dedication to training. Nominees should be a resident of the local area and be under 24. They cannot be professionally funded through either an NGB or UK Sport. 

Follow us

To keep up to date on the latest Believe Sports Awards news, follow Be Well on Twitter (external link), Facebook (external link) and Instagram (external link), and tag us using #BelieveSportAwards.