Active Essex are delighted to be back to host our annual awards ceremony, recognising and celebrating the achievements throughout our county.

Each year, the event welcomes recognised athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools, councillors, sponsors, businesses and other professional partners who all come together to give their support and commemorate local individuals and groups of their incredible achievements over the past year.

Physical activity is crucial to support our physical and mental wellbeing, therefore this is a chance for organisations and partners to network and support this important topic.

Read more about our 2024 categories and winners below.

Read more about our crowned winners here

Introducing Our 2024 Essex Activity Award Shortlist!

Sports Personality of the Year

An individual who has made a significant achievement in the last year in their chosen sport or discipline. This can be at a national or international level and either individually or as part of a team:

Ellie Challis, Tendring
WINNER: Laura Sugar, Uttlesford
Lewis Richardson, Colchester

Young Sports Personality of the Year

An individual who has made a significant achievement in the last year in their chosen sport or discipline. This can be at a national or international level and either individually or as part of a team. Open to all athletes – non-disabled and those with a disability:

WINNER: Billy Long Jr, Chelmsford
Evie Mills, Braintree
Todd Geggus, Rochford

Unsung Hero

A volunteer, coach or instructor who has made an outstanding contribution to local sport or physical activity. This could be a dedicated individual who you feel deserves recognition for their commitment to supporting and developing opportunities for residents in Essex to get active:

Barry Healey, Uttlesford
WINNER: Larry Mckechnie, Basildon
Lyndsey Ayris, Maldon

Sports Club Of The Year

A sports club who has been able to provide organised sport and physical activity opportunities, keeping their members engaged and have encouraged individuals to try something new. This club has achieved great things this year or made some stand out changes to make their opportunities accessible for all:

WINNER: Colchester Kings RFC
Torquespeed Football Club
Yong Gi Do Martial Arts

Strengthening Communities Award

An organisation, project or group who use physical activity and sport as engagement tool, making a positive impact on their community. They support their community’s health and wellbeing, promote stronger connections, and ensures their offer is inclusive. They may work with specific groups such as disability, ethnic diverse communities, women and girls or other underrepresented group, ensuring the opportunity is accessible for all:

BAWE
Dex Adams
Wheels for All Tendring

Essex ActivAte Provider Of The Year

A Holiday Activity and Food provider, through the Essex ActivAte programme, who has provided exceptional opportunities for young people across the school holidays, continues to go above and beyond, and have supported families across their community, using physical activity:

WINNER: Cast a Thought
JTD Arts
Silverbirch

Active Education Provider Of The Year

A school, early years or further education setting that gives its pupils a wide range of opportunities to participate in high quality physical education and extra-curricular sport. They will help young people understand and embrace daily exercise as beneficial to their health and wellbeing at school and beyond the academic years:

Chase Lane Primary
Hare Street Community Primary
WINNER: Upshire Primary

Active Employer of the Year

A workplace, team or organisation who have encouraged staff to get active. The team may be generating innovative ideas and opportunities to change sedentary behaviour or promote better physical and mental wellbeing:

WINNER: Fenn Wright
Tendring District Council
Woodlands School Hutton Manor

Physical Activity Champion

A coach, deliverer or instructor who goes above and beyond to support their participants. They provide motivating, fun and inclusive sessions, which are fully accessible, and positively impact participants mental and physical health, supporting strong connections:

Kelly Harman
Sandra Cripps
Tom Paget

Ambassador of the Year

A Move With Us, Find Your Active, This Girl Can Essex, All Together ambassador who has gone the extra mile in inspiring and supporting others to try something new, reach new goals or be a helping hand in taking the first step towards an active lifestyle. Over the past year they have engaged with the ambassador programme and worked hard to motivate others:

Acacia Hawkins
Harry Jeffery
WINNER: Suzanne Warren
Tim Triffitt

Download our Essex Activity Awards FAQs 2024 here.

Download the Essex Activity Awards Terms and Conditions 2024 here.

Active Essex

Our Sponsors

Essex Activity Awards 2023

The Essex Activity Awards last year received over 750 nominations for the 10 categories, followed by 3300 votes for our public voting categories.

The awards ceremony, to crown our winners, then took place at Prested Hall on Thursday 7th December. Hosted by Charlie Frost, ITV News Presenter and Danny Crates, Paralympic Gold Medallist, the Essex Activity Awards recognised and celebrated achievements throughout our county, with support from Headline Sponsor, Matchroom.

Take a look at our highlight video below!