Nominate a West sporting success

Paralympian Anne Dunham was 2008's BBC West Sports Personality of the Year

The BBC wants your suggestions for sportsmen, sportswomen and volunteers who deserve recognition for their achievements in 2009.

We are going to celebrate their success at this year's BBC West Sports Awards.

Your help is needed with 12 categories including Sports Personality, Coach of the Year and Team of the Year.

Send us your suggestions with a couple of paragraphs on why you think a particular person deserves recognition for their hard work!

The deadline for suggestions for the BBC West Sports Awards is 30 October, 2009.

Email your suggestions to [e-mail]

The sports teams and individuals must be based in or resident within the BBC West area.

All candidates must have achieved a high standard of performance at local, national or international level between 1 November 2008 and 30 October 2009.

Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Bath University on 6 December 2009.

The categories:

1. BBC West Sports Unsung Hero

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations (BBC Bristol, BBC Somerset, BBC Wiltshire, BBC Gloucestershire).

Nomination: By any member of the public via the authorised voting form, found on BBC Websites. A panel made up of BBC staff and non -BBC people will determine a short list of three and a winner.

Candidate must be a volunteer and given their time and energy for others to play sport. They must have shown an extraordinary commitment to a club or sport. They should have demonstrated a willingness to dedicate a significant amount of time to encourage sport in their area whilst asking for no financial reward. A role model for volunteers. To nominate go to www.bbc.co.uk/pointswest

2. BBC West Sports Personality of the Year

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams and e-mails/letters from the public and other organisations.

Candidate must have achieved a high standard of performance at local, regional, national or international level during 2009. They may also have used their personality to have contributed to the community.

3. BBC West Young Sports Personality of the Year

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations. They must be aged 16 or under on 1 January 2009.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams along with e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Candidate must have achieved a high standard of performance at local, regional, national or international level during 2009. They may also have used their personality to have contributed to the community.

4. BBC West 2012 Olympic Hopeful

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Candidate must have a realistic chance of success at the 2012 games, whatever the stage of their career.

5. BBC West 2012 Paralympic Hopeful

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams and e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Candidate must have a realistic chance of success at the 2012 games, whatever the stage of their career.

6. BBC West Coach of the Year

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams and e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Candidate must display achievement during 2009 demonstrating success in enhancing the motivation and performance of the team/individual they have coached. Generally this will be at elite level.

7. BBC West Team of the Year

Eligibility: Based in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams along with e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Team must have achieved a high standard of performance at local, regional, national or international level in 2009

8. BBC West Contribution to Sport

Eligibility: Based in the area covered by BBC Points West and BBC West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams along with e-mails/letters from the public and sports organisations.

Candidate must have contributed significantly to sport in the region and be a role model for others.

9. BBC West Volunteer of the Year

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel or will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by the public and volunteering agencies.

Candidate must be a volunteer and given their time and energy for others . Their volunteer work must be seen to improve life for others in activity that is not sport related and they must be a role model for volunteers. In essence, the person must embody the London 2012 volunteering spirit.

10. BBC West Cultural Olympiad Champion

Eligibility: Based, born or resident in the area covered by BBC Points West and BBC West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel or will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams along with e-mails/letters from the public and volunteering agencies.

Candidate must champion the aims of the Cultural Olympiad.

11. BBC West Enterprise in Sport Award

Eligibility: A company or individual based or working in the area covered by BBC Points West and the West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel or will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by BBC West Sports Teams along with e-mails/letters from the public and sports/business organisations.

This award is for businesses and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the world of sport. This will be through innovation or marketing or some other facet of business.

12. BBC West Power of Sport supported by Sport England

Eligibility: A company or individual based or working in the area covered by BBC Points West and the BBC West cluster of BBC Local Radio stations.

Nomination: A judging panel or will determine a short list of three and a winner by considering nominations put forward by Sport England through County Sports Partnerships. The BBC will seek further nominations via a bespoke webpage. The judging will be done without influence or suggestion from Sport England.

This award is for a sports project, or sports initiative that is making a real impact and really involving a local community. The projects to be considered do not have to be Sport England funded. An essential element is that a local community has become more involved in sport as a result of a project and that each project has addressed the needs of young people and under represented groups in sport which includes disabled people, black and minority ethnic groups, people on low income and older people. A real take up of recognised sports is another achieved outcome.