NOMINATIONS for the 2018 Bolton Sports Awards are open and organisers are looking to find the borough’s most deserving competitors, coaches, volunteers and clubs to have their successes celebrated at a glittering awards evening.

Winners will collect their prestigious awards at the prize guys and girls’ night on September 14, where special guests will be in attendance for the night hosted by BBC presenter Roger Johnson, who will once again be doing the honours after the 2017 celebration.

Last year’s presentation night was attended by ex-Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba. As well as being the guest of honour, Muamba was presented with Bolton Council’s Special Recognition Award, in honour of his contribution to football and his campaigning to raise awareness of the need for sports clubs to install defibrillators.

With almost 1,000 people attending the glitzy bash at the Macron Stadium’s Premier Suite last September Bolton’s event was one of the country’s biggest local borough sports awards.

The categories are:

Instructor/Coach of the Year – sponsored by Air Vault Trampoline Park.

For a community club or school-based instructor or coach who has made a significant impact to physical activity or sporting opportunities across the borough.

Club/Class of the Year – sponsored by Carrs Pasties.

To go to a sports club or community-based exercise session aiding physical activity or sport in the community.

Volunteer in Sport of the Year – sponsored by Atlantic Travel.

Awarded to a person who has given up their time to contribute to supporting the development of individuals or groups in sport.

Unsung Hero in Sport – sponsored by Renault Retail Group.

To be presented to a person who has made an impact over a number of years within the community.

Sports Achiever of the Year – sponsored by University of Bolton.

For a sports performer who has made significant improvement in their own development.

Disabled Sport Achiever of the Year – sponsored by Decathlon Bolton.

Awarded to a person who has made significant contribution, impact or improvement in their development as a disabled sports player or athlete.

Changing Lifestyle Recognition Award.

For any individual who has improved their health and well-being through taking part in physical activity. Someone who has had health problems in the past which they have improved or managed through physical activity and where physical activity has made a difference to their quality of life.

Junior Sports Team Achievement – sponsored by Middlebrook Retail Park.

This is for any team nominated by their school or club that has achieved great success in their sport in a competition.

Young Volunteer of the Year Award – sponsored by Be Ninja.

For anyone aged between 12 and 16 years old who has shown a commitment to personal development during at least six months’ voluntary work.

Senior Sports Team of the Year – sponsored by iPro Sport.

For any over-16s team that has achieved great success in local, regional or national competition.

Disabled Achievement Award – sponsored by Saville Audio Visual.

This award is to recognise an individual who has made a personal achievement in their chosen sport or physical activity

Liam Chronnell Memorial Trophy – sponsored by The Bolton News.

Established in memory of Liam, a sports reporter at The Bolton News with a passion for boxing who died suddenly in 2011. This award is to be presented to a volunteer dedicated to boxing.

This year, the Bolton Sports Awards has a new category, the Sport and Health Initiative of the Year.

This award, sponsored by Portfolio Design, will go to someone who has helped their community to become healthier by promoting healthy eating or by actively encouraging them to participate in a sporting activity.

This award is open to all teams and clubs, regardless of size, and the winner will receive a full day’s professional creative design expertise from award sponsors Portfolio Design.

Bolton community sports development officer Wahid Khan said: “The event was brilliant last year and it’s great to have a place full of inspirational clubs, groups, sponsors and volunteers. The vision is to make Bolton active, connected and prosperous and the event showcases this in abundance.”

If you know someone deserving of seeing their achievements or successes recognised, you can make your nominations online before June 15 at www.bolton.gov.uk/sportinbolton