THERE’S still time to make sure East Hampshire’s sporting heroes get the recognition they deserve after the deadline for nominating the district’s sports awards was extended.

East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) Sports Awards honour the best in local sport, from volunteers to coaches to elite players.

EHDC will now be accepting nominations until next Friday (January 20).

Clubs, coaches, supporters or any resident who would like to acknowledge a sporting achievement can submit a nomination.

Categories include Junior Volunteer, Junior Disability, Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, School Team of the Yea,r and Outstanding Personal Achievement.

And, for the first time, the awards have been widened to include other healthy activities such as walking, running groups, and charity challenges.

For a full list of categories and for the online nomination form, visit easthants.gov.uk/sportsawards.

The awards ceremony, on Thursday, February 16, will feature Olympic hockey star Alex Danson as guest of honour.

Danson, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List, started her career at Alton Hockey Club and rose swiftly through the ranks to make her international debut at just 16.

She won a gold medal with the GB team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, adding to a bronze she won in the 2012 London games.

Danson will join stars, coaches and volunteers of all levels at East Hampshire’s Sports Awards at the Old Thorns Manor Hotel, near Liphook, to celebrate all that is “great in local sport”.

District councillor Julie Butler said: “The sports awards is always a fantastic evening and a real celebration of the quality of sport played in East Hampshire.

“We have extended the deadline for nominations until January 20 to make sure all East Hampshire’s sporting heroes have the chance to win.

“If you know anyone that deserves to be recognised – either for a fantastic year of success or for years of hard work – then make sure you nominate them through East Hampshire District Council’s website.”