Sports Awards Night expected to be a big success

February 18 sees the sixth annual Pride Games Dinner at Manchester's Ramada Piccadilly hotel. The gala evening which celebrates the wealth of achievement in LGBT sport in the North West was established by Pride Sports, the UK's LGBT sports development organisation. During the evening, guests are treated to great food, entertainment and, of course the LGBT Community Sports Awards presentation itself.

This year, the following nominations were made in each of the categories:

Male Sports Achiever of the Year (sponsored by LGF): Jonathan Guildford (Manchester Frontrunners), Paul Smith (Northern Wave Swimming Club)

Female Sports Achiever of the Year (sponsored by the Lesbian Community Project): Lizzie Bellinger (Northern Wave Swimming Club)

Coach of the Year (sponsored by Manchester Leisure): Dave Taylor (Gay Gordons), Anna Verges Bausili (Slam Dunkin' Divas)

Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Proud City Co-op): Dave Taylor (Gay Gordons), Hana Kubacova (Northern Wave Swimming Club)

Community Investor of the Year (sponsored by the BikeRight! Company): AXM, Up and Running, City Life

Club of the Year (sponsored by Pride Sports): Northern Aces, Slam Dunkin' Divas, Manchester Village Spartans Rugby, Manchester Sharks, Open Athletics, Manchester Frontrunners, Northern Wave Swimming Club, Village Manchester Football Club

Lou Englefield, Director of Pride Sports told us:

"We have been very pleased with the number of nominations this year. Even in categories where only a couple of people have been nominated, they have invariably been nominated by several people. We have some amazing people and clubs to be proud of in the North West. We are very excited about this year's Awards Night"

This year will also see the introduction of the 'Being Proud Award' introduced by LGBT Youth North West and sponsored by Proud City Co-op, which celebrates the achievements of LGBT young people throughout the region.

For more information about the Awards Night check out the Pride Games website (click here)