BBC Sports Unsung Hero 2009

BBC Sports Unsung Hero 2009 trail

As part of our 2009 Sports Personality of the Year event, the BBC will once again be looking for a very special person working in sport.

It's our 2009 BBC Sports Unsung Hero award.

Do you know someone who helps others take part in sport within your community?

Someone who goes that extra mile to make a difference to sport?

Sport Editors' Blog I know from my own experience how much the people behind the scenes mean to sport Carl Doran

If so, why not nominate them for the BBC's "Sports Unsung Hero 2009" award?

Now in its seventh year, the award recognises someone who is dedicating their life to promoting sport in their community, taking no reward from it other than the pleasure of helping others to take part and enjoy their sport.

The search for the BBC's Sports Unsung Hero is taking place across the United Kingdom. It will see winners named in all the BBC's 15 Nations and Regions before an overall winner is named at the Sports Personality of the Year event in Sheffield on 13 December.

A judging panel will decide the overall winner, this will be made up of leading figures from the sporting world, a former winner of the unsung hero award and representatives from BBC sport and the BBC's nations and regions.

Nominations must be returned by 30 October

All 15 BBC regional winners will then be invited to this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, where an overall winner will be announced.

What are we looking for?

We want to know about an individual who, on a voluntary basis, makes a real difference to sport within their area. This person will give their time and talents to enable others to participate in sport. This may be in helping an individual, team or teams.

• This sport can be at any level.

• They must be someone who gains no financial reward for their time.

• They must be aged 16 years or over.

Previous winners have included:

BBC Sports Unsung Hero - Play your part

Val Hanover, winner in 2006, who trains children with learning difficulties in North Shropshire for the Special Olympics.

Margaret Simons, the 2007 winner. She has run Bardwell Football Club in Oxfordshire since founding it in 1964.

Ben Geyser, the driving force behind Dorchester Boxing Club. He won the award in 2008.

So if you know someone like Val, Margaret or Ben, whose unselfish and hard-working commitment to sport in their communities deserves recognition, click on either of the links below and put them forward.

Nominations must be returned by Friday, 30 October.

In view of the postal dispute we advise you to submit your completed nomination form by email to [e-mail]

Unsung Hero nomination form (pdf)

Unsung Hero nomination form (Word)

Sports Unsung Hero - Terms & Conditions