SPORTS commentator John Murray will present this year’s Sport Tynedale Awards, it has been announced. 

The BBC man, who is from Sewingshields near Haydon Bridge, will be behind the mic when the prestigious awards takes place in December at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre. 

The awards have been a key date on the district’s sporting calendar for 45 years, and recognise the achievements of amateur sports people in the district. 

The appearance will cap a memorable year for Murray, who commentated at the football World Cup in Russia during the summer, and also described the action at last month’s golf Ryder Cup in France, as Europe defeated the USA.

“It represents a coup for us to get John on board,” said Sport Tynedale chairman Edward Heslop. 

“He has reached the top of his profession, but he is a local lad himself who understands sport in this area.

“John is somebody our young people can look up to, and he’s very enthusiastic about our awards.”

The window for nominations for the Sport Tynedale Awards is now open.
Invidivuals, teams, and coaches can be entered in various categories until October 30. 

Mr Heslop added: “Once again we’ve had another exceptional year for sport in the district, and we are looking forward to receiving the nominations. 

“To stand a chance of winning an award in one of several categories, you must first be nominated by someone.”

This year, Hexham’s biggest employer has thrown its weight behind the event, with chipboard specialists Egger UK appointed as new sponsor.

Egger’s head of marketing communications Jackie Watson, said: “The Sport Tynedale awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the large breadth of sporting talent we have in the local area. 

“We are excited to support such a brilliant event over the next few years and we are very much looking forward to seeing this year’s nominations.”

Egger now sponsors the unsung hero award, which was won last year by the late Walter Henricks, for services to sport.

The awards night, which is also supported by Red Hot Property, will start at 6pm on Sunday December 9. 
For more information visit www.sport-tynedale.co.uk