2021 Entry Categories

NEW Most Innovative Business Response to Covid-19 

Awarded to the sports business that can demonstrate the transformative impact of initiatives made in response to the pandemic.

NEW Best Covid-19 Response by a Sport

This award will recognise outstanding initiatives by a Sporting Organisation / Governing Body to support its participants, fans, wider community, or stakeholders.

NEW Best Covid-19 Response by a Club

This award will recognise outstanding initiatives by a Sporting Club to support its community, employees or business.

NEW Best Sports Related Commercial or Promotional Video

For those promoting a specific sport, an individual club or a non-related product that wants to affiliate itself with a sport / sporting organisation – submit your best creatives to demonstrate how sport effectively engages audiences.

NEW Most Successful Sports Event Broadcast

With live audiences having been impossible during the pandemic, broadcast has assumed even more importance. This is for new or established sports broadcasters / events organisers who can demonstrate record viewing figures and / or engagement levels.

Best Sports Governing Body Initiative

This award is to recognise a governing body initiative which has been effective in achieving its outcomes with defined and measurable success. Examples might include fan engagement, promotion of the sport the body represents or encouragement of participation. Judges will be looking for an initiative which has notable and sustainable positive impacts on the sport.

NEW Best Fan Engagement during Covid-19

Evidence should show creative programmes used to engage and interact with fans during the pandemic. Clear examples of success quality and quantity of engagement should be provided along with positive feedback from fans.

Sports Diversity Award

This award has been created to recognise organisations and brands which are placing diversity at the heart of their objectives and engagement.

Entries will be considered from organisations of any size and across all sports.

Sustainability in Sport Award

This award has been created to recognise sporting organisations which are placing sustainability at the heart of their objectives and engagement.  Entries will be considered from venues, event organisers, governing bodies and any other relevant organisations.

Best Sports Charity Fundraising Initiatives

This award is for a charitable organisation or a sports organisation working with a charity. It will be selected not just on the funds raised but also on the positive outcomes the charity has achieved over the past 12 months.

Sports Innovation Award

This award is to recognise innovation in organisations, projects or innovative ideas from individuals. It could include innovative products or services, innovation in the community, within a sporting business and more. Judges will be looking for innovation used to positively impact sport/society and long term positive impacts from the innovation.

Sports Technology of the Year

We live in an age of technology. Technology plus sport offers huge opportunities and huge challenges. This award will recognise technology in action in or around sport which has demonstrably positive outcomes on customer experience or commercial profitability.

Best Sports Community Scheme

Open to all club CSR or community schemes in sport. Judges will be looking for dedication to and understanding of local communities alongside positive impacts on these from CSR activities. Evidence should include measurable success, a high level of engagement and an ongoing legacy.

Agency of the Year

The agency of the year category recognises the increasing role of Marcoms agencies in sport and will be awarded to a business offering Advertising, PR, Design, Social & Digital Media or other forms of promotional marketing. The agency can work for client sports clubs, brands or businesses working in sport and while individual projects can be included in the entry it should be noted that this award recognises the overall commitment to and understanding of sport demonstrated by the agency. The judges will be looking for creativity, insight and clearly defined client outcomes.

Best Professional Services in Sport

This award is open to law firms, accountants, architects and other professional service providers. Judges will be looking for dedication, applied knowledge and a deep understanding of the business of sport.

Best Brand Activation Involving Sport

Sport is at the heart of a myriad of marketing campaigns. This award recognises the best use of sport in any of its guises as a component in brand activation. Whether advertising, PR, experiential or digital brands can use sport to connect to the hearts and minds of customers. Entrants will need to demonstrate creativity, authenticity and of course great ROI. Open to brands and agencies.

Best in Sports Media

Media and sport are symbiotic. In the digital age the breadth of media working with and serving sport is greater than ever before. This award could go to a media owner, an individual publication, website, newspaper or TV programme. The recipient will have demonstrated total focus on their sporting cause and engagement with their audience.

Best Small Business in the Sports Industry (under £2m turnover)

This award is open to any company with less than £2m turnover, working in and around sport. Judges will be looking for positive customer response and outstanding product/ service, supply and innovation. Clear examples of innovative solutions and staff knowledge and dedication.

Best Business in the Sports Industry

This award is open to any company working in and around sport. Judges will be looking for positive customer response and outstanding product/ service, supply and innovation. Clear examples of innovative solutions and staff knowledge and dedication.