Derry City & Strabane District Council in conjunction with the District Sports Forum is pleased to launch the 2026 Sports Awards.
2024 saw the introduction of a new online nominations process and an updated delivery format which were well received by the public. This year, we hope to build on this success and make 2026 the best year yet!
A special awards ceremony will take place at the Guildhall in Derry on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, to honour the accomplishments of those who have had a major influence on local sport. We are pleased to present 11 award categories this year.
Categories for the 2025-26 Sports Awards are as follows:
- Sports Star of the Year
- Young Male Sports Star of the Year
- Young Female Sports Star of the Year
- Sports Star of the Year with a Disability
- Club of the Year
- Team of the Year
- Youth Team of the Year (to include school team of the year)
- Performance Coach of the Year
- Community Coach of the Year
- Special Recognition Award
- Hall of Fame
Guildelines for Nominations
- Sports persons must reside in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. Students with a Derry City and Srabane District Council home address may be considered on merit.
- In order to be considered, all nominees must be involved in an amateur status capacity in a sport which is recognised by Sport Northern Ireland and/or the Irish Sports Council.
- Please note that only information inluded on this nomination form will go forward for assessment.
- Nominations will be assessed by an awards panel, which will seek advice from external sources where necessary and appropriate.
- The nominations wil be assessed on the basis of the individual's contribution to enhancing commu ity and sporting life based on set criteria within the last year.
- The nominator, the nominee, a team representative and a guest will receive an invitation to the awards ceremony.
- Organisations, local sports clubs, schools, youth clubs and idividuals may make nominations.
Nominations must be submitted online by Monday 7th September 2026 at 4pm. For more information on each category and to ake a nomination, please click on the button below.
If you have any questions or queries about the awards please email [email protected]
Nominations deadline Monday 7th September 2026 at 4pm.