IT'S that time of year again, when the sports stars and teams who made the headlines across Tyrone and further afield are officially recognised for their achievements.
The twelfth annual Ulster Herald Sports Personality of the Year Awards, being held in association with Main Street, Omagh, once again will spotlight all those central figures in the drama and excitement that unfolded on the pitches, courts, roads, tracks and halls in the past twelve months.
This enjoyable evening has become a mainstay of the county’s sporting calendar for well over a decade now and is scheduled to take place on Friday 2nd March. The setting for the event is once again Kelly’s Inn, Garvaghey and M.C for the evening is popular BBC Television sports presenter Denise Watson.
Although 2011 may have past into the shade, we can still bask in the glories of our sports stars exploits over the year as we celebrate success on the local, national and international stage. With such a rich tapestry of sporting excellence to choose from the Herald will again be asking our readers to help determine the winners in various categories from the shortlist of contenders whose feats will be highlighted in the coming weeks.
The overall Sports Personality winner will be chosen from our 12 monthly award winners who were selected throughout the year.
The Club of the Year, Team of the Year, Youth Team of the Year and School Team of the Year winners will be chosen, with your help from a shortlist of candidates in each category who made an outstanding contribution to sports life locally in the year 2011.
After another eventful and successful year on various fronts there should be plenty of competition for the main prizes in all our categories.
Also on the night we will be presenting our popular Hall of Fame Award, which celebrates the stellar career of an individual within their own particular sport, as well as a Special Achievement Award which will honour the contribution of one local person or group who have helped make a difference to people’s lives within their own community through their efforts, selfless endeavour and dedication.
We have a new category this year, the Contribution to Sport Award which identifies an individual who has devoted much of his life to his favourite pursuit and whose leadership, standing and authority is respected by supporters and competitors alike within their sport.
So watch out in the coming weeks for our list of nominees and make your choice as to who should receive our specially commissioned Awards, which will be presented to the winners on the night.
This is one of the top sporting events of the year in Tyrone and if you would like to be part of it then contact Darren or Mairead on 028 8241 5060. Tickets are priced £35 and it's a black tie event, with a 5 course sit down meal and entertainment afterwards.
