THE DEADLINE to nominate a sporting hero for an Energise Me Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sports Award is fast approaching.

The Energise Me Awards celebrate sporting achievements and shine a light on those people who are transforming lives through physical activity.

The awards will support both grassroots and elite sport with 13 award categories, and the diverse range of categories ensure that people of all ages and walks of life can get involved.

Among these categories, Energise Me has created two new awards: The School of the Year award and the Achievement in the Face of Adversity award.

The School of the Year award will acknowledge teachers that find creative solutions to beat inactivity, and recognise those who work behind the scenes to get pupils active.

Achievement in the Face of Adversity will recognise those who have achieved a goal against all odds.

Barriers could be physical, mental or financial, yet this doesn’t stop them to go on and partake in sport or physical activity.

Energise Me will announce the winners at the awards ceremony on March 8, at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

There is now one week until the nominations deadline closes. Nominations are free and open until Wednesday, January 31.

Nominations can be made online via the Energise Me website at: www.energiseme.org and all the nomination guidelines and the criteria for each of the awards are available there.