Burnley Leisure is proud to announce the host of this year’s glittering Burnley Community Sports Awards will be legendary hurdler and world record holder Colin Jackson CBE.
The former sprinter and 110m hurdler, who has had an illustrious career in athletics, will present this year’s great grass roots sports ceremony on the 16th July at the Mechanics Theatre in Burnley.
Considered one of the most successful hurdlers of all time, Colin won an extraordinary 44 consecutive victories during a 12-year period and held the world record time of 12.91 seconds for 13 years.
He remains the 60 metres hurdles world record holder.
During a career in which he represented both Great Britain and Wales he won an incredible 21 medals, including 12 golds and eight silver.
He was a two-time World and Commonwealth champion, an Olympic silver medallist, World Indoor champion and went undefeated at the European Championships for 12 years.
As one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes he was appointed an MBE in 1990 and was later promoted to OBE and eventually CBE in 2003 for his services to the sport.
Since retiring he has become a highly respected coach and has carved out a media career as an athletics commentator for the BBC.
He’s also appeared on a host of popular BBC TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity MasterChef and Who Do You Think You Are?
Burnley Leisure, which runs the awards in partnership with Burnley Council, is delighted Colin will be the guest host of Burnley Community Sports Awards 2020.
In announcing that nominations are now open Michelle Grimes said:
“This event is such a highlight for our sporting community and for us as organisers. To yet again have such a prominent and well-respected sporting personality on board is amazing. “Colin is a true legend in Great British Athletics and we’re delighted he is joining us to recognise and reward the hard work and commitment of those dedicated to sport and physical activity on our doorstep
“His illustrious career he is a tremendous inspiration to us all and his incredible personality and ability to motivate will ensure this year’s Burnley Community Sports Awards is a night to remember.”
“What we need now is for people to help us shine a spotlight on Burnley’s wonderful sporting community.
“We want to hear about those who dedicate so much of their time or who have gone over and above to achieve.
“If you know of a local club, group, coach, volunteer or young person who deserves to be recognised for their sporting achievements please nominate them.”
Burnley Community Sports Awards are a wonderful opportunity for the local community to gather and celebrate the great and the good of grass roots sports.
They were established to recognise and reward the contributions and achievements of local people and communities to sport, physical activity, and community development.
The awards pay tribute to those who show dedication at a range of levels or those who work tirelessly to support individuals or community clubs, for the love of the sport or their community.
The nominations process is now open until April when they will be shortlisted to three nominees in each of the following categories:
- Service to Underrepresented
- Groups Volunteer of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Community Project of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement
- Young Achiever of the Year
- Club of the Year
All you have to do to nominate is complete the survey in the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/sportsawards2020
Anyone requiring assistance with completing the nomination form can call Michelle Grimes, Events and Partnerships Manager, on 01282 477167 or email at mgrimes@burnleyleisure.co.uk.
All shortlisted nominees are invited along to the event.
Winners of all categories go forward to the Lancashire Sports Awards hosted by Active Lancashire.
If you’d like to be a sponsor of this year’s event, please contact Michelle Grimes.
This year’s headline sponsor is Birchall Foodservice, a catering food and drink supplier based on Burnley Bridge Business Park in Hapton.
We’d like to thank them for their continuing support, having been a Burnley Community Sports Awards sponsor for a number of years.