Sporting Equals, an independent body that champions race equity across sport, have launched the 2024 Sporting Equals Awards to celebrate the contributions made by ethnically diverse people and communities in sport and physical activity.
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Sporting Equals Awards which take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Saturday 5th October hosted by comedian and TV personality Judi Love. The awards put a focus on both the elite and grassroots sport - celebrating achievements and profiling ethnically diverse role models.
The awards also put the spotlight on the challenges that are still faced across the sport sector and the action required. In 2024, winners will be crowned in 11 categories, ranging from Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year to The FA Community Champion of the Year.
New for this year is the Mind Mental Health Award, which aims to address the inequality in access to sport and physical activity and how that impacts mental health. Research by Mind has shown that exercise can reduce the risk of depression by as much of 30%.
Only 55% of ethnically diverse people are likely to be physically active, compared to 62% of white people. Last year former England and Arsenal footballer Sol Campbell won the Sporting Equals Lifetime Achievement Award for his services as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in football.
Previous winners of the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year award include seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton MBE (2016), former Team GB heptathlete, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (2016), Paralympian and Kadeena Cox OBE (2017). The awards will be delivered in collaboration with Sport England to support the ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy, which aims to tackle racism and improve race quality within sport.
Key governing bodies and organisations in the industry including England Athletics, The FA, Mind, Swim England, The LTA Foundation and Youth Sport Trust will also support the awards. Arun Kang OBE, Chief Executive of Sporting Equals said: "We are really excited to deliver the 8th edition of the Awards in partnership with Sport England who empathise with the importance of these Awards, to acknowledge the contribution made by ethnically diverse communities in sport and to inspire the next generation.
“The Sporting Equals Awards are a chance to celebrate the effect that ethnically diverse people and communities have on the sport and physical activity sector. The awards also provide the opportunity to reflect on the changes that still need to be made.
“I encourage those who are impacted by ethnically diverse community heroes to get nominating. Recognising their achievements will help inspire and increase more diverse volunteers, coaches, elite athletes and sports administrators.”
2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner and Paralympic athlete Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker, added: “The Sporting Equals awards is all about recognising the hard work athletes, coaches and volunteers Have put in over the course of the last few years.
“It is a night to celebrate with friends and family's while also been able to network with others. When there are hundreds of inspired individuals in a building it creates a standard for everyone to want to achieve no matter how big or small it may seem, highlighting the significance of sport within our community's because we all have part to play!”
The full list of awards for 2024 includes:
- Sportswoman of the Year
- Sportsman of the Year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Youth Sport Trust Young Sportsperson of the Year
- England Athletics Coach of the Year
- Sport England Community Sports Project of the Year
- LTA Tennis Foundation Community Tennis Award
- Swim England Award
- The FA Community Champion of the Year
- Mind Wellbeing Award
- Sports Organisation of the Year Award
- Gamechanger of the Year Award
- Sporting Equals Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominations are now open until September 8.