Phil Pittock, left with sponsor Darren Ellis, PD1597841

The inaugural Thanet Sports Awards, launched in the Thanet Extra and on kmfm for Thanet only two weeks ago, has already signed up its first sports-mad sponsor.

DJ Ellis Construction Ltd has stepped forward to sponsor the Coach of the Year award - one of 11 prizes that will be presented at a glittering ceremony at Margate's Winter Gardens on Wednesday, November 11.

Darren Ellis, managing director of the firm, said: "I've been involved with sport all of my life but I think, particularly when we're younger, we sometimes take the coaches for granted and don't appreciate what they do for us.

"As a parent, with three children of my own all involved in their own sports, I spend more and more time on the sidelines and I see things from a different perspective.

"I really can appreciate the hard work and the time that coaches give - most of them as unpaid volunteers - and their passion for their sports."

He added: "I'm delighted to sponsor the Coach of the Year award, which is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the achievements of our local sports coaches. Without such people there would be no sport beyond school.

"It's the clubs in local communities and the coaches who support them who are producing the Premiership footballers, the Wimbledon champions and the Olympic medallists of the future."

The Thanet Sports Awards is organised by the Thanet Sport Network - a group of public, private and voluntary sector organisations who work together to increase sporting opportunities in Thanet - and will showcase local sporting talent and achievement across all ages, all abilities and across the full range of sports.

Members of the Thanet Sports Network include Thanet District Council, Kent County Council, Canterbury Christ Church University, Thanet Leisure Force, local housing associations and representatives from individual sports.

Mr Ellis said: "I'm looking forward to a great evening in November and I wish the judges the very best of luck. I'm sure it won't be easy selecting the winners from the large number of contenders."

Local businesses and organisations still have the opportunity to sponsor an award. Sponsorship costs £250 and includes the company name and logo on the award and the logo and company description in the event programme, as well as two VIP tickets to the event and presentation of the award to the winner.

Further information and a sponsorship application form are available fromwww.thanetextra.co.uk/nominateorwww.thanet.gov.uk/sport.

Nomination forms for the 11 awards are available from the Thanet District Council offices in Cecil Street, Margate; Thanet Extra offices in Northdown Road, Cliftonville; Hartsdown Leisure Centre, Hartsdown Road, Margate; and Ramsgate Sports Centre, High Street, Ramsgate.

An online version can be downloaded fromwww.thanetextra.co.uk/nominateorwww.thanet.gov.uk/sport.

The closing date for nominations is Friday September 11.