The finalists for the prestigious 2017 Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards have been announced and all 30 are outstanding. To mark the 20th year of the awards there are some exciting new categories and the finalists include people from all aspects of community sport from coaches and volunteers to sportspeople from a really diverse range of sports.

The Awards which will take place on 30th June at Sandy Park celebrate diverse sporting contributions and achievements from community level coaching right through to elite sports performers. The main purpose of the Awards is to recognise those who inspire people to participate at all levels in sport.

“Each year the Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards go from strength to strength and help to recognise the truly outstanding work that is being carried out throughout the county at all sporting levels” said Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Foundation.

“Looking at all the nominations across the board, it’s clear that the judging panel must have had another series of painstaking decisions to make, such is the calibre and quality of all those selected. However, we see all those shortlisted as winners in their own right and the efforts they are producing are helping to inspire the next generation of sporting stars within Devon.” Said Matt Evans from Active Devon

All finalists have been invited to attend a special 20th anniversary ceremony and this year, they will be presented with their trophies and certificates by James Cracknell OBE, British athlete, rowing champion and double Olympic gold medallist

The expert judging panel, coordinated by Active Devon who are overseeing the Awards in partnership with the Exeter Foundation and Exeter College, have carefully whittled the entries down to the final 30 individuals and teams from an extremely strong pool of nominations.

Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal – Schools, Partnerships & Curriculum, Exeter College, said: “Exeter College is delighted to be a partner in the Devon Sports Awards and recognise the contributions made by those who inspire sports performers at all levels.”

In addition to the 8 main award categories and the supplementary presentations for Performances in Community Sport there is a special award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Devon, which will only be announced on the night.

“The Devon Sports Awards are always keen to recognise volunteers who work hard in their sports and so often go unrecognised” said Matt Evans Chief Executive of Active Devon. “The Devon Volunteer and Devon Young Volunteer categories are one way that we can celebrate their achievements. We want to thank everyone who nominated someone special in their sport and say keep up the good work”.

Click here to visit the Active Devon website to see the shortlist.