Today marks the launch of the 2014 British Judo Awards, aimed at recognising the dedicated volunteers up and down the country who give their time week in, week out at the BJA’s licensed events, at local clubs.

These people give up hours every week, so why not show your gratitude by logging online and sending us a few words about why your favourite coach, referee, official, mat layer, money collector, sticker monitor or welfare officer should be given an award.

At the end of a hard day competing, players are rewarded players for a job well done, but when was the last time you did the same for volunteers?

Why not show you value your volunteers by nominated them for a British Judo Award?

The scheme has been running since 2006 when the association celebrated the achievements of a small number of players and volunteers at a dinner in Birmingham.

Over the past eight years the awards scheme has gone from strength to strength with the 2013 nominations process receiving almost 300 entries.

Last year the awards ceremony took place at St Georges Park in Burton Upon Trent and this year’s dinner will be at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Beeston, Nottingham.

Give praise and thanks

As the 2014 nomination process opens today, the assocication is inviting our members to thank every volunteer for the time they give and the efforts they make.

Not all of our volunteers will collect an award at this year’s event, but everyone nominated will receive a thank you card advising who nominated them and why they deserve to be recognised.

For many of our volunteers knowing that their efforts are appreciated by those who benefit from their time is far more rewarding than receiving an award from the association.

In this way the British Judo Association is providing all of our members and their parents with a quick and easy way to say ‘thanks – you do a great job and we appreciate you’.

Nothing says thank you like actually saying those words, so why not go on-line and take this opportunity to make your volunteers feel valued.

When submitting your nomination you will need to provide your name and email address, the name of the person you are nominating and the name of their club.

You will also be asked to give the reason for your nomination in less than 100 words. Remember that this will be emailed directly to the person you have nominated.

Nominate

To tell us about your valued volunteers and the work they do visit  https://bja.platform81.com/nominate2014 

Nominations close at midnight on 30th June 2014, but the earlier you get these in the better.

Categories

Last year’s awards categories included:

Event Volunteer Awards:

Young Referee of the Year

Referee of the Year Official of the Year

Event Volunteer of the Year Club

Volunteer Awards

Club Volunteer of the Year

Club of the Year Coach of the Year

Young Volunteer of the Year

Some changes may occur but it is likely similar categories will be used in the future.

Photos by Simon Coates photography.