EXCLUSIVE by Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
A new celebration of Hull’s sporting life will shine a spotlight on the people whose achievements and dedication make the city a healthier, more active and inclusive place.
The inaugural Hull Sports Awards will recognise sporting success alongside the work of coaches, volunteers and community organisations who help others take part.
From a young athlete making their mark to a volunteer keeping a club running, the awards will celebrate the many ways sport and physical activity enrich life in Hull and the surrounding area.
Nominations open at 9am on November 9 and close at 5pm on December 15. The first ceremony will take place at Hull City Hall on February 9, 2027, with the ambition of establishing an annual celebration.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “Hull is a sporting city. Sport is a massive part of life for so many of the city’s residents, whether it is following their team as a supporter on the sidelines, or participating themselves on the pitch.
PITCH PERFECT: The awards aim to show how young people can go on to succeed in their chosen discipline
“It felt right then that we celebrate sporting participation and success and the role played by all those who make it possible.
“For every youth sports side, there are the coaches and parents who make it happen. Likewise, it is important this is not just an awards event that is simply about the night itself. We want to see it used to demonstrate how young people from the city can go on and achieve in their chosen sport over the years to come.
“I know that sport is something that can help give people so many skills and opportunities. Whether it is teamwork or discipline, or the chance to make lifelong friends, there is so much that sport can lead to. I have experienced this in my life and that of my family.
“That is why it is important for us to recognise its role in the life of the residents of Hull. It is also hoped that these awards can, over time, help inspire sporting success, as we see winners at this event go on to great things in their chosen sports.
“This is going to be the first of what we intend to be an annual event. There is no other event like this in the city that celebrates across the various sports on offer in the city.
PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY: Hull City Council leader Mike Ross
“So, I am keen that as many people as possible get involved with this – whether it is the sports clubs themselves by nominating for an award or, crucially, local businesses who would like to be involved by sponsoring the event.
“We are very keen to see the local business community get on board and help make this happen and I would be very happy to hear directly from anyone who wants to back this event.”
Coun Ross revealed the idea for the awards came about following a conversation with Hull City captain Lewie Coyle.
He said: “Earlier this year, I was discussing with Lewie about when Hull used to have a sports awards and he said how winning an award had inspired him. Given the fact Hull is such a sporting city, it seems only right that we have our very own sports awards again.
“This also follow on from our commitment to promoting sports participation through the sports roundtable we held this year, which saw governing bodies from a whole range of sports in the city alongside professional clubs.”
VENUE: Hull City Hall, where the inaugral Hull Sports Awards will take place
The ten categories reflect the breadth of Hull’s sporting community. Adult and Junior Sportsperson of the Year will recognise outstanding achievement, while Volunteer of the Year will honour those whose commitment often goes unseen.
An Active Diversity, Health and Inclusion Award will celebrate work reaching marginalised communities, improving wellbeing or bringing people together. Other categories recognise the contribution of education, culture and environmental sustainability.
The awards are open to grassroots, amateur and community-focused individuals, clubs and organisations, rather than professional sports clubs. Every entry must demonstrate a direct, positive impact on Hull.
Nominees should live in the HU1 to HU9 area or actively support a sport, physical activity or movement organisation serving it. Clubs and organisations outside those postcodes can be considered where their work makes a significant contribution to the city.
Alongside a dedicated Disability Sportsperson of the Year category, nominations recognising disability sport and activity are encouraged across the awards.
‘SPORT MAKES HULL THE GREAT PLACE IT IS’: David Gent, CEO of Active Humber
David Gent, CEO of Active Humber, said: “Active Humber is delighted to be supporting the Hull Sports awards celebrating the city’s sporting successes and how sport, physical activity and movement is making Hull a more inclusive and healthier place for all.
“These awards are important because the city has a long and proud history of sporting success which has continued over the last 12 months, a wonderful network of clubs and organisations who every week deliver a whole range of activities to support their local community, and charities using sport and physical activity to help people in the community to feel healthier and more included.
“These awards show how sport and physical activity make Hull the great place it is.
“So often those efforts go unrecognised and these awards are a brilliant way of celebrating the achievements of the wonderful sporting and physical activity community of Hull.”
The awards partners are Hull City Council, Hull Culture & Leisure and Active Humber, with The Hull Story as proud media partner.
A BRIDGE TO SUCCESS: The awards will celebrate a wide range of grassroots sport and physical activity
Nominations should explain how the person or organisation meets the relevant criteria, using up to 500 words or an optional one-minute video. Both formats carry equal weight. Entrants should submit one or the other, with a completed nomination form.
People can be nominated in more than one category, but a separate, tailored form is needed for each. The quality of the evidence matters, rather than the number of nominations received for an individual.
Organisers will contact nominees to confirm they are happy to be considered and finalists will be invited to the ceremony.
To nominate, visit www.liveithull.co.uk/hullsportsawards. Businesses interested in sponsorship can email towardsanactivehull@hcandl.co.uk.
THE AWARDS
Adult Sportsperson of the Year
For outstanding sporting achievement in Hull during 2026. Open to any sportsperson aged 18+ from a community sports club who has made an impact.
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
For outstanding sporting achievement in Hull during 2026. Open to any sportsperson under 18 years from a community sports club who has made an impact.
Disability Sportsperson of the Year
For outstanding sporting achievement in Hull disability sports during 2026. Open to both adults and juniors who have made an impact.
Club Coach of the Year
For a coach who has made a significant impact on an athlete, squad, or programme in Hull. Open to competitive sports clubs and community organisations delivering physical activity in Hull.
Volunteer of the Year
For a volunteer who has made a significant impact on a club or community sports organisation in Hull. Can be that unsung hero who goes around fixing things, or someone who has given up their time to volunteer day in, day out to benefit the Hull community.
Club of the Year
For a club or physical activity organisation which has made a significant impact within their sport through competitive success, or made a direct impact on the local Hull community through sport and physical activity.
Active Education
For organisations or individuals who have made a significant impact in the education sector in Hull through sport and physical activity in 2026.
Active Diversity, Health and Inclusion Award
For clubs and organisations who have made an impact on bringing sport and physical activity to marginalised communities in Hull, or have made a significant impact on improving the health and wellbeing of local communities through physical activity, or to clubs and organisations who have made an impact on bringing communities together in Hull through sport and physical activity.
Active Environment and Sustainability Award
For sports clubs, individuals, and organisations who have made a significant contribution to improving the local environment in Hull, and/or making sport or physical activity more environmentally sustainable.
Active Culture Award
For organisations who have enabled sport or physical activity to become part of their artistic and cultural heritage activities in Hull.
Scan the QR code to enter the Hull Sports Awards
