Nominations Open for the Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2026

Nominations are now open for the Sport and Recreation Alliance's Community Sport and Recreation Awards 2026, recognising outstanding contributions to grassroots sport and recreation across the country. The awards programme has run for over 25 years and the Alliance is clear about who it wants nominated most: volunteers, described as the bedrock on which grassroots sport and recreation is built, and without whom it simply would not survive.

Following last year's Youth Edition, marking the Alliance's 90th anniversary, the awards have been revamped to better reflect the current grassroots landscape. There are eight categories in total:

The Sustainable Club Award recognises a community club, facility or space that has shown outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action, celebrating organisations reducing their carbon footprint, cutting waste, conserving resources and championing green practices in grassroots sport.

The Wellbeing Champion Award celebrates an initiative that intentionally uses sport, recreation or physical activity to improve participants' mental resilience, emotional wellbeing and social connectedness.

The Innovator Award recognises clubs and organisations modernising their sport or ways of working, whether through digital tools including AI, flexible new game formats, or pay-and-play apps that remove the need for traditional membership.

The Social Impact Award honours a project or initiative, including partnership-driven ones, that transforms physical activity levels or addresses deep-rooted social issues through sport, recognising sport's unique ability to drive social change.

The Grassroots Hero Award applauds an individual whose tireless dedication, selfless volunteering or inspirational leadership has had a transformative, lasting impact on their club or wider community.

The Next Generation Award celebrates clubs and organisations creating inclusive environments that keep young people aged 5–25 active for life, with particular recognition for those tackling major youth drop-off points, such as supporting teenage girls through puberty or creating flexible pathways for young people leaving full-time education.

The Community Club of the Year Award is the flagship category, for a grassroots club demonstrating excellence across the board as an indispensable, vibrant and well-governed community hub.

The Breaking Barriers Award celebrates a project or club that actively champions underrepresented or marginalised groups, ensuring everyone feels safe, valued and welcome in sport and recreation.

Entry is free and straightforward, and the Alliance is keen to hear about projects, initiatives and individuals working with people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Each winner receives a £500 prize, with results announced at a special event later this year at a location still to be confirmed.

Nominations close at 23:59 on Friday, September 11. Anyone involved in sport and recreation who has made a difference in their local community can be nominated through the relevant category link on the Sport and Recreation Alliance's website.