THIS week, we launch the first category of the Ely Standard Sport Awards 2008 and tell you how you can enter for an award. The Ely Standard s inaugural sports awards would not have been possible without our main sponsor Cambridgeshire County Council and t

THIS week, we launch the first category of the Ely Standard Sport Awards 2008 and tell you how you can enter for an award.

The Ely Standard's inaugural sports awards would not have been possible without our main sponsor Cambridgeshire County Council and the county council has sponsored the first two of our categories: Youth Achievement (girls) and Youth Achievement (boys).

A word from our sponsor

"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.

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.

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."

Councillor Martin Curtis, Cabinet Champion for the Olympics, added: 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."

How to enter for the Youth Achievement Awards

# Youth Achievement (girls) sponsored by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The Criteria: Achievement throughout the year, sacrifice and commitment to a particular sport, and future potential (all relevant to age). # Youth Achievement (boys) sponsored by Cambridgeshire County Council. The Criteria: Achievement throughout the year, sacrifice and commitment to a particular sport, and future potential (all relevant to age).

You will find the entry forms on our special awards website (follow the link at the end of this story).

Categories

These are the 12 categories for the awards. In the next few weeks we will launch the nominations for each category and tell you a bit more about the individual awards themselves. Each award will have a set-down criteria. The sponsors of each award will nominate someone to judge the category. When we launch the nominations we will tell you a bit more about the sponsors and why they have chosen to support our awards and that particular category. We have already sold most of the award sponsorship, but if you are interested in sponsoring one of the remaining categories, details are below. INFO: Category sponsors will be offered a sponsorship package, which includes an invitation to the Gala Awards Presentation Evening on December 4. The company will nominate a judge who will present the award on the evening and also receive an invitation for themselves and two guests on the night.

Our sports awards present a fantastic opportunity for local companies to share and encourage the sporting endeavours and experiences of local sports people. If you want to be involved in the Ely Standard's inaugural sports awards, contact Editor Debbie Davies on 01353 667831 or email: debbie.davies@archant.co.uk

Although the sponsorship packages are selling fast, there may be other opportunities for local companies and individuals to become involved.