Draynes Farm Lisburn & Castlereagh Sports Awards 2026

The following selection criteria are for ALL award categories except the Merit Awards. 

An advisory panel consisting of Sport Lisburn & Castlereagh Executive Committee Members will meet in early October to assess the nominations taking into consideration the selection criteria outlined below. The advisory panel’s decision will be final and cannot be overturned.

The nominee’s sport and any specialisation within the sport concerning particular events or the positions that are played.

The level of representation in the sport by the nominee in 2025/2026 – club, county, regional, national, international and if junior or senior.

The result is the achievement/performance within the competition(s) 2025/26. This information should be referenced with the names of the competition and/or events, dates, and locations.
 

The level refers to the position of the competition(s) within the sport where the achievements were made. In general, this would be at international, national, regional, county, or club level. The nomination should provide detail of the level and the importance or standing of the competition/event(s) within sport.

The factors considered illustrate the quality and depth of the opposition in the competition. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the base of participants from which the identified competition is drawn, whether competitors are local, regional, or national and the ranking of the abilities of the opposition in the competition or events.

Description of the amount of preparation and degree of commitment required to achieve at this level in sport.

Senior Sports Personality of the Year
Awarded to an athlete who has achieved outstanding results in respect to their performances within their sport. The athlete must be 18 or over on 30th September 2026.

Junior Sports Personality of the Year
Awarded to a junior athlete who has achieved outstanding results in respect of their performances within their sport. The athlete must be under 18 on 30th September 2026.

Senior Sports Club Team of the Year
Awarded to a team who has achieved outstanding results in respect of its performances within its sport. The team must be from the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area. Nominations must be from an individual team within a club. We cannot accept nominations for the club as a whole. 

Junior Sports Club Team of the Year
Awarded to a team who has achieved outstanding results in respect of its performances within its sport. The team must be from the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area. Nominations must be from an individual team within a club. We cannot accept nominations for the club as a whole. 

School Sports Team of the Year
Awarded to a school team that has achieved outstanding results in respect of their performances for their school. The school must be from the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area. Nominations must be from an individual team within a school. We cannot accept nominations for the school as a whole.

Disability Sports Team of the Year
Awarded to a disability team that has achieved outstanding sporting success within their sport.
Sports Person with a Disability of the Year
Awarded to an athlete with a disability who has achieved outstanding sporting success within their sport.

Sports Coach of the Year (Amateur Only)
*Open to coaches of a Lisburn & Castlereagh club who live outside the council area, as well as coaches who reside in Lisburn & Castlereagh*
Awarded to an individual who has led an individual/team to significant achievement through an outstanding coaching performance at various levels of sport. The manager/coach of the year award is open to unpaid coaches only. All coaches must have recognised and valid coaching qualifications. 

Sports Club of the Year
Awarded to a sports club who have demonstrated excellence in the management and development of their club aside from their results in competition. This award considers the work the club has done in recruitment and retention, health/fitness initiatives, inclusivity, and improvements in coaching/volunteering.

David Edwards Senior Merit Award 
*Open to long serving members of a Lisburn & Castlereagh club who live outside the council area, as well as members who reside in Lisburn & Castlereagh *
Awarded to an individual who, over several years, has displayed an outstanding contribution as a volunteer in the support, administration, promotion, fundraising, officiating, cleaning, and/or delivery of services to their club and its sport. The individual must not be a current performer. Anyone who has received a Merit Award previously are not eligible.

Alison Slater Junior Merit Award – 16-21 years of age.
*Open to members of a Lisburn & Castlereagh club who live outside the council area, as well as members who reside in Lisburn & Castlereagh *
Awarded to a young individual who, has displayed an outstanding contribution as a volunteer in the support, administration, promotion, fundraising, officiating, cleaning, and/or delivery of services to their club and its sport. Anyone who has received a Merit Award previously are not eligible.

Click here to nominate