by Martin Jefferies

Thanet’s top young sports stars will be celebrated at a new, glitzy awards ceremony later this year.

Thanet Extra and kmfm for Thanet are proud media partners of the inaugural Thanet Sports Awards, which take place at the Margate Winter Gardens on the evening of Wednesday, November 11.

The special celebration is being organised by the Thanet Sport Network, a group of public, private and voluntary sector organisations who work together to increase sporting opportunities in Thanet.

It will showcase local sporting talent across all ages, all abilities and all sports and is a celebration of “all things sport”, not just high achievers but all those who have shown extraordinary enthusiasm and dedication.

kmfm breakfast presenter Johnny Lewis (pictured, far right) and Phil Pittock (right), extended schools development manager at Kent County Council, will help hand out a total of 11 awards on the night.

Family, friends, coaches, teachers and sport professionals are invited to nominate individuals and teams in the following categories:

• Club of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Disabled Sportsperson of the Year
• Individual Sporting Achievement
• Long Service
• Sportsman of the Year
• Sportswoman of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Unsung Hero
• Young Sportsperson of the Year
• Young Team of the Year

Nominees must be Thanet residents or members of Thanet-based clubs.

Entries need to be received before Friday, September 11, and must be for achievements between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009.