Nominations open for 2017 Canoe Wales Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Canoe Wales Awards. You can submit your nominations for this year's awards through our online nominations form. Please note that only Canoe Wales members can submit a nomination. The application deadline is midnight on 31 October 2017 .

Information about the awards

The Canoe Wales Awards recognise the tremendous dedication and commitment of our members and those who support them.

This year's award categories are:

• Coach of the year
• Volunteer of the year
• Paddler of the year
• Team of the year
• Club of the year

The board of directors will also be presenting a special award this year in memory of the late Alan Baker:

• Alan Baker Outstanding Service Award

The assessment process

After the nomination period closes, the Canoe Wales Awards judging panel will assess the nominations. The panel will make their decision only on the information provided in the nomination form. Applicants must not make the assumption that the panel or Canoe Wales will know the applicant or have knowledge that will be used as part of the assessment process. It is not necessary to submit multiple applications for each nominee - the total number of nominations received will not be a factor in the judges' decision.

The judges will use the criteria listed below for each award to select three finalists for each award, with the highest scoring nominee selected as the award winner. However, please note that to be successful a nominee does not necessarily need to have evidence of all of the criteria - these have simply been provided as a guideline to assist you in writing your nomination.

The finalists will be announced live on Facebook and on our website at noon on 17 November, and the winners will be announced the following week, with formal presentations to be organised with each winner at their club or another local venue.

The timeline

Period of activity for nominations to be considered - 1st September 2016 - 1st October 2017

Nominations open - 1st October 2017

Nominations deadline - 31st October 2017

Announcement of finalists - 17 November 2017

Announcement of winners - week of 27 November 2017 (one announced each day)

Presentation of awards - December 2017 - January 2018

How to nominate someone

Click this link to go to our online nominations form where you can submit your nominations. Please note that you do not need to submit a nominee for every award - you can simply skip a page on the nomination form if you do not have anyone to nominate for that particular award.

Award Criteria

Coach of the year

• Making the introduction to paddle sports fun and attractive
• Being creative in assisting skills progression for fellow paddlers
• Planning activities through the year to broaden the skills of paddlers
• Creating a positive impact (for example personal development, health or educational achievement)
• Using innovative ideas for coaching (including technology)

Volunteer of the year

• Making the introduction to paddle sports fun and attractive
• Helping or organising key parts of an event (judging, logistics, activity)
• Supporting paddlers as a community outside the activity of paddling
• Creating a positive impact (for example personal development, health or educational achievement)

Paddler of the year

Team of the year

• A club team or group affiliated with a club
• A team competing in a Welsh league
• A team competing as Wales at a national or international event

Club of the year

• A club that embraces and supports the development of a wide range of paddlesport disciplines
• Evidence of the development of skill progression and enjoyment within paddlesport
• Evidence of planning and maximising opportunities to broaden the skills and experience of club paddlers
• Evidence of a unique programme that has made a significant impact within the club
• Evidence of joint initiatives with other clubs that benefit its members
• Evidence of how the club safeguards their athlete(s)
• Evidence of growth in membership within the club