Annual Sport Tynedale awards usually takes place in Hexham

The prestigious annual event was not able to take place as it usually would - with a grand ceremony at Hexham's Wentworth Leisure Centre, in the run up to Christmas.

But while the coronavirus pandemic has affected sport during an unprecedented year, the awards will be taking place in a different format.

Sport remains crucial for mental and physical wellbeing, and the Sport Tynedale committee wants to celebrate those who have continued to participate and volunteer in sport this year - taking into account the impact of the pandemic and the challenges which have been overcome to keep sports and clubs going.

The committee wants to hear how sport and physical activity has helped people during these difficult times - what have they managed to achieve on a personal level this year?

Nominations are also being sought for clubs who have found ways of keeping their members active and maintaining a sense of community.

Sport Tynedale chairman Edward Heslop said: "In view of the impact that Covid has had on sports participation in this unprecedented year, and the restrictions imposed upon the holding of events such as our annual sports awards night, we regret that the 'normal' sports awards night was not held this year.

"However, we are very aware that sport has adapted and continued during this time and we have decided that the dedication and adaptability of the great sporting community in West Northumberland should be celebrated and acknowledged, albeit in a different format.

"It would be unfair to host our regular categories as opportunities have not been equal for all.

"There has been a shift in habits and an adaptability that has been inspiring, and we see this as an ideal time to recognise the efforts of volunteers and sports players as a means to motivate others to get involved."

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday, January 5.

To access nomination forms and further information about the Sport Tynedale Awards, follow the link http://www.sport-tynedale.co.uk.

if you get a chance (and I quite appreciate you may not!) it would be great if you could manage a little plug for the Sports Awards in either of the next couple of editions.

All details are on the website http://www.sport-tynedale.co.uk.

Closing date 5th January.

We’ve had a few nominations (6 I think so far).

Many thanks

Hope you have as good a Christmas and New Year as possible in these strange times, stay safe and well.

All the very best.

A VOLUNTEER-LED sports organisation will not hold its prestigious awards evening for the first time in almost 50 years.

But Sport Tynedale, formerly known as Tynedale Sports Council, will be hosting a virtual event to recognise those who have gone above and beyond to keep their chosen sports going during an unprecedented year.

The annual ceremony is usually a highlight of the sporting calendar, with hundreds of people packing out Hexham's Wentworth Leisure Centre every December.

This time around, however, Covid has not only put a stop to large gatherings, it has also severely restricted the ability of sporting clubs and individuals to compete as they usually would.

Chairman Edward Heslop said: "Due to the impact that Covid has had on sports participation as well as the changing conditions on hosting events, we cannot host the award ceremony this year.

"However, we are very aware that sport has adapted and continued during this time and we have decided that the dedication and adaptability of the great sporting community in West Northumberland should be celebrated and acknowledged albeit in a different format.

"It would be unfair to host our regular categories as opportunities have not been equal for all. There has been a shift in habits and an adaptability that has been inspiring, and we see this as an ideal time to recognise the efforts of volunteers and sports players as a means to motivate others to get involved."

Sport remains crucial for mental and physical wellbeing, and the committee wants to celebrate those who have continued to participate and volunteer in sport, taking into account the impact of the pandemic and the challenges which have been overcome to keep sports and clubs going.

The committee also wants to hear how sport and physical activity has helped people during these difficult times - what have you managed to achieve on a personal level this year?

Nominations are also being sought for clubs who have found ways of keeping their members active and maintaining a sense of community.

Forms can be found at sport-tynedale.co.uk, along with online applications or by emailing sporttynedale@gmail.com.