THE finalists have been revealed in the 2017 Wiltshire Sports Awards, set up by the Swindon Advertiser, Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times in conjunction with Wiltshire & Swindon Sport (WASP).

Hundreds of nominations were received before the deadline of November 3, with the awards supported by a host of sponsors from businesses all across the county, designed to recognise and reward the achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches, teams, clubs and volunteers throughout Wiltshire.

Newsquest Wiltshire group sports editor Owen Houlihan and WASP CEO Steve Boocock read over the nominations for 12 categories before deliberating and naming three finalists in each.

From mid-December right up until the awards ceremony at Devizes’ Corn Exchange on Friday, January 26, we will profile the finalists in each category each week in the pages of the Swindon Advertiser, Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and Wiltshire Times, outlining their achievements and contribution to sport in Wiltshire.

In the meantime, 1968 Olympic 400m hurdles champion David Hemery will join the judging panel to further deliberating on the finalists and decide the winner for each of the categories.

In addition, a Special Achievement Award, sponsored by Imagine Cruising, will be chosen from all the nominations from the rest of the categories.

All the winners will be announced at the Corn Exchange celebration ceremony at the end of January, which will include an audience with 1985 World Snooker champion and now-television commentator Dennis Taylor, who will be guest speaker.

The evening will be a celebration of all of the winners for all of the categories, and tickets are available priced at £15 per adult and £9 per child, to include a buffet.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Leahanne Reynolds on 01793 501737 (Mon-Wed) or email wiltshiresportsawards@newsquest.co.uk.

2017 Wiltshire Sports awards nominees

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Reuben Digital and Jazzbones Creative

Jordan Smith – Derry Hill European Tour golfer

Tom Gale – Trowbridge high jumper

Callum Gingell – Bradford on Avon Canoe Club

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Miles Windows Systems

Shona O’Dwyer – Swindon netballer

Anne Marie Watson – Trowbridge ultra-distance runner

Rebecca Connolly – Swindon female boxer

PARA SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Imagine Cruising

Tiegan Higgs – Chippenham Moonrakers gymnast

Lauren Booth – Chippenham para-cyclist

Polly Maton – Urchfont world championship medal-winning athlete

JUNIOR SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by People for Places

George Lewis – Goatacre CC/FC Chippenham/FC Wiltshire/Hardenhuish School

Jessica Daykin – Wiltshire School of Gymnastics

Max Cook – Swindon motorcycle rider

MANAGER/COACH OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Go South West

Cherie Skeats – Esprit Gymnastics, Swindon

Liam Lathbury, Emeralds Boxing Club head coach, Chippenham

Alun Rossiter – Swindon Robins team boss

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by MANS LC

Swindon St George Rugby League

Goatacre Cricket Club

Westbury Ladies RFC

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Sweets Galore

Stratton Juniors FC

Avon Valley Runners

Swindon Ice Hockey Academy

JUNIOR TEAM OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Platinum Motor Company

Wrag Barn Golf Club’s junior section, Wiltshire champions

Warminster RFC Pink Panthers girls

Sheldon School U13 boys handball team

SCHOOL SPORTS PARTICIPATION

Sponsored by Kingstons Estate Agents

Lisa Adams, head of PE at Lavington School

Ramsbury Primary School

Bitham Brook Primary School, Westbury

COMMUNITY AWARD

Sponsored by Bowman House

Sam Bullas – Swindon Wildcats in the Community

Active Trowbridge

Paul Rogers, Scrappers Boxing Gym, Swindon

UNSUNG HERO

Sponsored by Active Trowbridge

Vince Marriott – Trowbridge Basketball League

Diana Viles – Wiltshire athletics coach

Philip Mayberry – chairman Wiltshire Judo Association

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by NU Image

Sadie Minturn – Moredon Junior Netball Club

Alan Harding/Michal Jakosz – Trowbridge Basketball League

Lee Bowen – Sanford Link Table Tennis Club/Wiltshire Table Tennis Association