2021 Annual Achievement Awards

The British Weight Lifting Annual Achievement Awards aim to recognise the outstanding contributions and efforts from the Olympic weightlifting and para powerlifting community.

With more athletes and volunteers now active than ever before, these awards are vital in recognising the contributions of our members and clubs.

This year we have introduced a number of new awards PLUS we are changing the way we recognise the hard work and contributions of those involved in the sport by asking for your nominations.

2021 will see 10 awards and we are looking for you to nominate in the following categories:

Coach of the year Eleiko club of the year Official of the year Outstanding contribution award Volunteer of the year – New for 2021 Young leader of the year – New for 2021 Inspiring others award – New for 2021 Unsung hero award Lifetime achievement award

Sports achievers of the year: S&F Flooring Masters Lifter of the Year SBD Young weightlifter of the year – New for 2021 SBD Young Para Powerlifter of the year – New for 2021 SPORTSCOVER Weightlifter of the year SPORTSCOVER Para Powerlifter of the year

Nominees can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. People can also nominate a number of people in all categories.

For the full entry terms and conditions please click here.

Nomination Form

To nominate yourself or someone else please complete the nomination form:

Nomination Form

The deadline for nominations is 28 November 2021.

Nomination criteria for each award

COACH OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the achievements of an outstanding coach at club, regional, national or international level. Do you know an outstanding coach who:

• Has achieved success through their efforts with their athletes?
• Has had a positive impact on participants, a club, coaching programme or the local community?
• Delivers high quality, inclusive coaching programmes that engage with new and existing club members from all ages and backgrounds?
• Supports other coaches and young people and has been successful at getting more people lifting?
• Has adopted an athlete-centred approach to coaching and made a difference to the performance of an athlete based on resources available to them?

 ELEIKO CLUB OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the achievements of an outstanding club and is open to BWL Affiliated Clubs (whether longstanding or a new kid on the block). Do you know an outstanding club that can show:

• Achievements by their athlete(s)?
• Excellent organisation, value for money and an inclusive and welcoming environment?
• High quality, inclusive programmes that engage with new and existing club members from all ages and backgrounds?
• Impact on participants and/or community from the work the club does?

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the much-valued commitment Technical Officials make to the sport, particularly in ensuring the successful running of competitions and events across the country. Do you know of an outstanding official who has:

• Committed to officiate at a large number of events?
• Assisted in the training, development and support of other officials?
• Inspired new officials and can be a role model and an ambassador for BWL?

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – New for 2021

This award is to recognise the outstanding contribution volunteers make to our sport, with a huge range of activities across the country. Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their ongoing voluntary work? Is there a volunteer within your region who really drives the weightlifting and para-powerlifting programmes forward, or a volunteer at your club who has been instrumental in ensuring your club is thriving? Is there someone you know who has:

• Developed, organised or supported weightlifting and/or para powerlifting?
• Organised and implemented programmes and activities to encourage growth and improve standards?
• Had significant impact in weightlifting on a local, regional or national level?
• Shown exceptional commitment and dedication to weightlifting activities

YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR – New for 2021

This award is to be presented to a young person (aged 16 to 23) who is an excellent and positive role model in BWL related activities at school, in the community, at your club, in your region or national level. Do you know of a young leader who has inspired people around them, driven forward our sport and deserves recognition for developing themselves as a young leader? Is there someone you know who has:

• Developed, organised or supported BWL? Encouraged growth and improved standards?
• Made a difference to our sport on a local, regional or national level?
• Developed themselves as a young leader?

Be sure to tell us what steps have they taken to develop their leadership skills - this doesn’t have to be formal learning (qualifications & training), it could be working with coaches, researching session ideas online or through social media.

INSPIRING OTHERS AWARD – New for 2021

This award recognises the individual who motivates and encourages others to be and do their best. Someone who leaves their ego at the door and are passionate about the growth of our sport. They set great examples, trust in others and give more than just responsibility, they stimulate confidence in others, too. They bring people together, help to create a positive and inspirational environment, through encouragement and support, enabling others to improve their performances and inspiring them to reach their goals. Do you know someone who has:

• Contagious enthusiasm, who truly cares about the growth of individuals as well as the sport?
• Aimed high, not being afraid to fail by reaching for the stars and has ambitious goals they look to help other accomplish?
• Been inclusive, actively promoting opportunities to the greatest number of people possible, getting them to take up our great sport?

THE BRIAN HAMILL UNSUNG HERO AWARD

 This award will be presented to an individual who consistency goes above and beyond their activities. Do you know someone in your local set-up that you simply couldn’t do without? Help put the spotlight on their hard work and hours of time these volunteers put into our sport that might get overlooked. Can you tell us:

• What makes this person stand out from the rest and so special?
• What has this person done for our sport or your club?
• About their commitment, length of time involved, how many hours per week they give and whether they work alone or in a team?

THE JOHN LEAR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARD

 This award will be presented to an exceptional candidate to recognise their achievements. We know there are many people whose dedication deserves recognition. Do you know someone whose achievements in developing, supporting or leading our sport deserve this special recognition because they:

• Are an inspirational role model?
• Provide opportunities for more people to participate, watch, support, volunteer or coach our sport?
• Have created a legacy in a club, community or within BWL as a whole?

SPORTS ACHIEVERS OF THE YEAR

• S&F Flooring Masters Lifter of the Year
• SBD Young weightlifter of the year – New for 2021
• SBD Young Para Powerlifter of the year – New for 2021
• SPORTSCOVER Weightlifter of the year
• SPORTSCOVER Para Powerlifter of the year

These awards are for some of the most talented performers across the country, who show exceptional dedication to their sport and have the potential to perform at the highest level. They have shown great sports personship, motivation and determination in our sport. They have displayed an outstanding level of personal achievement at a local, regional, national or international level. It cannot be underestimated the countless hours that have enabled them to reach this level of sporting talent, and this acknowledges both their ability and commitment. Is there someone you know who has:

• Been an exceptional and consistent performer across the whole season?
• Excelled in our sport over the past 12 months, making significant developments to their performance within their club/region?
• Strived for excellence both on and off the platform, displays a willingness to learn, copes with both winning and losing and could be considered as a role model for other players?

THE LOUIS MARTIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Lifetime Achievement Award is intended for individuals with at least 10 years of documented and well-known accomplishments in our sport and have had a significant impact on countless individuals and organisations.

The recipient of this prestigious award, has been exceptionally supportive, gone above and beyond, and demonstrates and shares our passion for weightlifting and/or para powerlifting.

The winner will be instantly recognised as being an expert in their field, having delivered measurable improvements in our sport, and highly respected for the contributions they have made. Is there someone you know who has:

• Contributed to the betterment of an existing program or has created a high impact new project
• Is influential, making meaningful and positive impact to the wider weightlifting community
• Contributes substantial time and expertise to help further our sport
• Is recognised as having sustained accomplishments that have significantly advanced the status of our sport at a local, national, or international level
• Is respected for the contribution that they have made to advancing our sport through mentoring, supporting, and influencing the career development of others within our sport.