THERE’S still time to make sure East Hampshire’s sporting heroes get the recognition they deserve after the deadline for nominations for the district’s sports awards was extended.

The awards honour the best in sport across the district, from volunteers to coaches to elite players, and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) will now be accepting nominations until Friday, January 20.

Clubs, coaches, supporters or any resident who would like to acknowledge a sporting achievement can submit a nomination.

Categories include junior volunteer, junior disability, sportsman and sportswoman of the year, school team of the year and outstanding personal achievement. And, for the first time, the awards have been widened to include other healthy activities such as walking, running groups, charity challenges and more.

The awards ceremony, on Thursday, February 16, will feature Olympic hockey star Alex Danson as the guest of honour. Alex, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List, started her career at Alton Hockey Club and rose swiftly through the ranks to make her international debut at just 16. She won a gold medal with Team GB in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, adding to a bronze won in the 2012 London games.

Alex will join stars, coaches and volunteers of all levels at East Hampshire’s Sports Awards at Old Thorns Manor Hotel in Liphook.

For a full list of categories and for the online nomination form go to www.easthants.gov.uk/sportsawards