Essex Activity Awards 2024

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 below.

Introducing Our 2024 Essex Activity Award Categories

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. Must be aged 18 or over on 1st September 2024.

Young Sports Personality of the Year

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!