Burnley Leisure is pleased to announce that the host for this year’s Burnley Community Sports Awards is one of the country’s most successful sportsmen Roger Black, MBE.
Former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist, Roger has long been a role model for the younger generation. This year he’s coming to Burnley to help recognise and celebrate the contributions of local people and communities to sport, physical activity, and community development.
Paul Foster, head of development at Burnley Leisure, said: “It is with great pleasure we announce athletics legend Roger Black as the host and guest speaker for our 10th annual Community Sports Awards ceremony.
“Following the success of last year’s Sports Awards, 2016’s event is set to be bigger, better and once again full of Olympic glory.”
For fourteen years Roger represented Great Britain at the highest level in the world of athletics. The greatest achievement in his career was winning the Olympic 400 metre silver medal in 1996.
The British sprinter has collected a mixture of silver and gold from the 400m and the 4x400m relays through several appearances at the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and World Championships.
Roger was British Men’s Team captain and was awarded the MBE in 1992 in recognition of his sporting achievements.
After hanging up his spikes for the last time Roger has worked in media as a presenter for the BBC News, and BBC Sport, covering the 2000 Sydney Olympics, amongst other global sporting championships.
He remains one of the UK’s greatest 400m runners. Together with his fellow Olympian Steve Backley, Roger has managed to transfer Olympic performance into the workplace and launched an app which helps people achieve their professional and personal goals.
Nominations for Burnley Community Sports Awards will be open soon and further information will be available online at www.burnleyleisure.co.uk or by calling 01282 477167.
The awards pay tribute to those who show dedication at a range of levels or those who work tirelessly to support individuals or community clubs, for the love of the sport or their community.
Categories include club and coach of the year, volunteer and young volunteer of the year, school of the year, rising star, health champion, community award and more.
All shortlisted nominees will be invited to the prestigious awards ceremony at Burnley Mechanics Theatre on 21st July.
For all enquiries, including how to sponsor an award, please contact Michelle Grimes on 01282 477167 or by email mgrimes@burnley.gov.uk.
