The Medway Sports Awards are back.

The prestigious awards highlight the fantastic achievements of clubs, teams, individuals and coaches, as well as volunteers and schools.

Nominations for the Medway Sports Awards, sponsored by Willmott Dixon Construction - who have completed the new Cozenton Park Sports Centre - are open and close on Thursday, October, 31 at 5pm.

All levels of teams and individuals from Medway can be nominated for the awards - from grassroots through to those at regional, national and international level.

The winners will be picked by a panel of judges, including gold-medal winning Paralympic skier Charlotte Evans MBE and Olympic gymnast Gary Smith.

Cllr Nina Gurung, portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure at Medway Council, said: “It’s really exciting to see the return of the Medway Sports Awards.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and recognise all of the amazing sporting success in Medway, as well as our heroes who have inspired people in and beyond Medway.

“If you know anybody who you think deserves to be recognised, make sure you put their name forward.”

Senior operations manager for Willmott Dixon Construction, Geoff Kempt, said: “I was born in Chatham, grew up in Strood and Rochester and now live in Rainham.

“My kids loved swimming at the old Splashes, my wife is a Gillingham FC season-ticket holder, I played for Medway RFC - as does my son - and my daughter spent most of her time - and my money - learning to skate at the Gillingham Ice Bowl.

“So, on a personal level, and a professional level with Willmott Dixon Construction, we’re proud to be invited to sponsor this fantastic celebration of Medway’s sporting success.”

There will be gold, silver and bronze winners for each category, which will be announced at a gala celebration on Friday, December 13, at The Rochester Corn Exchange.

The categories are Sportsperson of the Year, Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Club of the Year, Junior Club of the Year, Team of the Year, Junior Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year and Unsung Hero of the Year.