Nominate Your Sporting Hero!

Nominate your unsung sporting hero for a major new exhibition at Leicestershire County Council’s Snibston Discovery Museum next summer and be in with a chance of winning £100 worth of Next vouchers.

The County Council needs help to find Leicestershire’s unsung sporting heroes. They could be a local sportsperson who has inspired someone, a dedicated coach from a local team, a steward or programme seller. It could be a favourite PE teacher or the person that keeps equipment, ground or kit clean and tidy.

If selected, your local unsung sporting hero could feature in the exhibition at Snibston from 23rd June to 16th September 2012. This exhibition will showcase the wealth of sporting excellence from around the county and highlight also those people involved behind the scenes with our sports teams.

To qualify, each nominated hero should have sporting and Leicester or Leicestershire connections. They may have been born or lived in Leicester or Leicestershire, or have links with a local club – big or small. (Entries need to be in by Friday 2nd December)

Angela Weston, from Loughborough has nominated her son Allan Blackey, now player manager. Angela said: "Allan has been playing football since he was about 6 years old; he is now 36 and a player manager (playing for Loughborough Town and Epinal Rovers). His name and number 14 shirt get respect from opposing teams and he is the one they try to beat on the pitch.

“He's usually in two places at once as he plays both Saturday and Sunday games. Allan is managing other lads now, giving back some of the enjoyment he has got out of representing Loughborough for the last 30 years."

Leicestershire County Council is mounting a series of three exhibitions at venues around the county next year in time for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the one at Snibston, all focusing on Leicestershire’s sporting achievements, but each with a different angle.

An Exhibition at Charnwood Museum, being mounted in partnership with Loughborough University, will celebrate Loughborough as a town of sporting innovation and technology. It will explore the different products, processes and people who have made Loughborough a name that is recognised worldwide in the field of sports science and technology.

The Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland will examine grassroots sport throughout the county. An exhibition will explore how community level and amateur sports and local sports clubs have formed and developed over the years, and the significance that they, and the people involved with them, have in local communities.

David Sprason, Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Communities said: “This is a great opportunity to give someone the recognition that they deserve. Leicestershire is full of sporting greats and now it’s time for those people who give up so much of their time and are dedicated to sports to be rewarded in this highly significant way. With the Olympic and Paralympic Games just round the corner – this is a fantastic way to celebrate our unsung sporting heroes so please vote for yours!”

For more information or to nominate your sporting heroes please visit: www.leics.gov.uk/sportingheroes