The Ely Standard s inaugural sports awards would not have been possible without our main sponsor Cambridgeshire County County. Ely Standard Editor Debbie Davies. said: I am delighted to announce the launch of the Ely Standard s first-ever sports awards

The Ely Standard's inaugural sports awards would not have been possible without our main sponsor Cambridgeshire County County.

Ely Standard Editor Debbie Davies. said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of the Ely Standard's first-ever sports awards and particularly please that we have the support of a huge organisation such as Cambridgeshire County Council.

"There are so many sporting champions in the East Cambridgeshire area, from Goldie Sayers leading the pack at this year's Olympics to all the people who compete, watch and support sport throughout the year.

We have organised a gala awards evening at which the nominees, the winners, the judges, sponsors and special guests will be invited. I look forward to meeting you and sharing the success of sport endeavour and achievement in East Cambridgeshire with you all.

A word from Cambridgeshire County Council

"Cambridgeshire County Council is delighted to join forces with the Ely Standard to support the Ely Standard Sports Awards for 2008.

What better time to be promoting the benefits of sport than this autumn following the heroic effects of Team GB over those 16 glorious days in Beijing. Nineteen gold medals for our sports men and women exceeded all of our expectations and now we can look forward with real confidence to London 2012.

The county council has long promoted the benefits of sport with children, young people and adults. We now have a unique opportunity to build on our successes and reap the benefits of exercise, self-discipline, sportsmanship, diet, teamwork, how to cope with winning and losing. Young people are often portrayed poorly by the national media, but many of them are participating daily in sports activities. We should celebrate that.

Jill Tuck, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "This award scheme gives us the opportunity to recognise the sporting achievements of people, young and old, in East Cambridgeshire. In addition to awards for the sportsmen and women, boys and girls, there are awards for those people helping behind the scenes - the unsung heroes, the coaches and others who run and manage sports clubs."

"We need to use the incentive of London 2012 as an opportunity to promote the benefits of sport and to change people's lives for the better for generations to come."

Councillor Martin Curtis, Cabinet Champion for the Olympics, added: "We can't all be of Olympic standard and we can't all run marathons. But many sports such as cycling and swimming provide good, all-round exercise. As a nation, we need to get fitter, to take more exercise and eat more healthily. This initiative by the Ely Standard is an excellent opportunity to promote the benefits of sport and to recognise the achievements of local people and we are delighted to be supporting it.