WALES is set to celebrate a year of outstanding sporting success at the annual Wales Sport Awards next month.
The event, at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff, showcases the very best of elite and grassroots sport in Wales and will be attended by many influential sporting heroes and representatives from governing bodies.
Top award of the night is the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year. Firm favourite has to be Gareth Bale after scoring seven out of the 11 goals for the Welsh football team during qualification for Euro 2016.
Other contenders for the award must include Lee Selby, who retained his IBF Featherweight title against Fernando Montiel in Arizona, and Aled Davies, who won two gold medals at the PC Athletics Championships in Doha this year.
To add some extra excitement, the December 7 event kicks off with the Emirates FA Cup Third Round draw. Mark Chapman will present the draw live on BBC Two at 7pm.
BBC Cymru Wales Head of Sport, Geoff Williams said: “The draw for the Third Round of the FA Cup is always one of the most anticipated and iconic occasions of the football season, and we’re absolutely delighted to welcome this prestigious event to Wales.”
Follow the link to meet Wales Sports Awards nominee Caroline Mathews.
Last 10 BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year winners. Edited from: Infographic vector designed by Freepik
The Welsh rugby team made a gallant effort in the 2015 Rugby World Cup but they are likely to be pipped for Team of the Year by the Welsh football team, which has made history by qualifying for its first major finals since the 1958 FIFA World Cup. Following this achievement, the Welsh manager, Chris Coleman will certainly be considered for Coach of the Year award.
The Awards will be presented by Jason Mohammad and Dot Davies. Categories include:
- Young Coach of the Year
- Community Coach of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Coach to Disabled People of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Team of the Year
- BBC Cymru Wales Unsung Hero
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Elite)
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Community)
- Carwyn James Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year
- BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year
The awards will be decided by public vote and an expert judging panel. Judges include Head of Sport for BBC Wales Geoff Williams, Sport Wales chair Professor Laura McAllister and Commonwealth Games gold medal winning gymnast, Frankie Jones.
They will be joined by sports journalist Carolyn Hitt, two-time Paralympian Pippa Britton, director of Sports Coach UK Bev Smith and the Young Ambassador, Nia Weaver.
Frankie Jones said: “There are so many people behind the scenes of sports that enable the magical moments that are usually the main focus in the public. It is a brilliant way to give recognition to some of these crucial people.”
Do you know someone in Welsh sport who deserves an award? Let us know by leaving a comment.
