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.

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Best Sports Event of the Year

This award is to recognise the best sporting event of the year from both a commercial and fan perspective. Judges will be looking above all for innovation and an event which received a positive response (including attendee numbers, engagement and feedback) as well as enhanced brand awareness. Entries will be considered from events of any size and from any sport.

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Best Mass Participation Event

This award is to recognise mass participation sporting events. Judges will be looking for an event which received a positive response (including attendee numbers, engagement and feedback), enhanced brand awareness and delivered a high quality participant experience.

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Best Match (or Game) Day Experience 

This award is for the best match/game day experience delivered to fans and spectators who were in attendance. The judges will be looking for efforts to enhance spectator enjoyment and engagement resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction. There should be evidence of high quality of service before, during and post-match/game with excellent customer service to all spectators regardless of team allegiance.

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Best Fan Engagement Programme

Evidence should show creative programmes used to engage and interact with fans. Judges will be looking for unique programmes used to communicate effectively and produce positive results and genuine feedback from fans. Clear examples of success quality and quantity of engagement should be provided along with evidence of sustainability.

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Best Non-Match (or Game) Day use of Venue

This award will recognise venue use for activities other than sporting matches or games. Events could include exhibitions, conferences, award ceremonies, musical, cultural and other events. The judges will be looking for excellent management, innovative ideas and commercial success.

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Best Club CSR or 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.

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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.

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Best Professional Services Firm 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.

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Best Business Serving Sport – under £3m turnover

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.

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Best Business Serving Sport – over £3m turnover

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.

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Best Match / Game Day Catering

This award is for quality catering and service on match/game days. The judges will be looking for evidence of high quality food served in a timely manner at costumer-friendly prices. Examples should also be provided of how the catering is aligned with the context of the individual sport and venue.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sports Tech of the Year –  for Sport and in Sport

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.

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Best Sports Club / Sports Event Hospitality

This award is for high levels of quality customer service and delivery of hospitality which contributes to match day/event experience. Judges will be looking for enhanced experiences due to this with consideration to the costs and finances of the hospitality.

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Best Sports Charity (or best use of sport by a charity)

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.

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Best Operations Team 

This award is for a team which has shown true excellence in the organisation of a particular event or series of events. Judges will be looking for outstanding success as a result of a highly skilled workforce and strong teamwork.

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Best Sports Association

Open to any sport related association, large or small, which goes above and beyond in their commitment to excellence and driving their sport forward.