tickets for bedsa 2020
Tickets for BEDSA 2020

Inspiring the next generation of sporting talent

Celebrating its sixth year, the BEDSAs provide a unique opportunity to celebrate and reward Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) sporting excellence – to help increase sports participation by BAME communities and inspire the next generation of sporting talent.

BEDSA 2020 - Key Dates

7th January – Nominations launched on Sky Sports

3rd February – Nominations close

14th February – Shortlisting panel meet

17th February – Finalists announced and voting opens

4th March – Main Judging panel meet

8th March – Voting closes

14th March – The BEDSA

A unique opportunity to celebrate and reward Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) sporting excellence

Do you know an individual or organisation who should be recognised for their outstanding achievements and contribution to sport? Then why not nominate them for the 2020 British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSAs). 

Before you nominate someone for an award, please read this.

How to nominate someone for an award

The nomination process is simple, but please read the guidelines below to help you submit your nomination.

  1. Ensure the person you are nominating is from a British BAME background as determined by the National Office of Statistics categories. i.e. British Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, other Asian); British Black/African/Caribbean; Mixed/ multiple ethnic group; Other ethnic group.
  2. Check the full range of Awards to ensure you are making a nomination in the right category.
  3. Read the ‘Award Criteria’ and ensure you provide clear evidence and examples for each of the bullet-pointed criteria when making your nomination.

The deadline for nominations is Monday 3 February at midnight so please ensure your nominations are submitted before this date.

Award Categories

Young Sports Person of the Year Award

This award recognises significant progress and considerable achievement(s) made in the past 12 months in their chosen sport.

Award Criteria:

  • Is 20 or under as of 1 January 2019
  • Has made significant achievements in their chosen sport over the past 12 months (from January 2019 to December 2019) and reached a high accolade
  • Has shown dedication, commitment and passion for their chosen sport
  • Has dedicated time to support local communities and initiatives 
  • Is an inspiration and positive role model for BAME communities
Nominate For This Award

Unsung Champion of the Year

This award recognises outstanding contribution from an individual in grassroots sport and is looking to identify the BAME volunteer of the year

Award Criteria:

  • Is working on a voluntary (unpaid) basis.
  • Has volunteered within a specific community, particularly low-participation groups
  • Has dedicated substantial time and commitment to their chosen sport
  • Has significantly increased participation, developed sport and made a significant impact within the local community
  • Is committed to continued professional development
  • B. Please include the name of the organisation(s)/club(s) that the nominee volunteers for within your nomination submission
Nominate For This Award

Coach of the Year Award

This award recognises the achievements of a coach working with elite athletes at the highest level of performance in sport.

Award Criteria:

  • Is a qualified coach and working at an elite level
  • Has helped somebody successfully perform through a player-centred development approach
  • Has helped somebody achieve nationally and/ or internationally
  • Has examples of innovative practice
  • Has dedicated substantial time and commitment to their chosen sport
  • Is an inspiration and role model for BAME communities
Nominate For This Award

UK Sport Inspirational Performance of the Year Award

This award recognises a special sporting performance from a British BAME athlete during the past 12 months (January 2018 – December 2018)

Award Criteria:

  • Is involved in elite sport
  • Has been involved in a memorable sporting moment(s)
  • Has received considerable media exposure due to their performance
  • Has inspired others to get involved in sport
  • Has overcome personal challenges to succeed in their chosen sport
Nominate For This Award

BrandSmart Award for Innovation or Making a Change

This award is for an individual who has used new or innovative thinking to make a change or push themselves, their teams or sports personality further in their sport and build their sporting excellence identity. This could be a young sportsperson, coach, community leader or team member.

Award Criteria:

  • Has made a significant change to innovate or promote themselves or their sport
  • Has used “out-of-the-box” thinking to excel and stand out
  • Is looking to build their sporting or personal identity in sport
  • Has inspired others to get involved in sport with their change
Nominate For This Award

Sport England Community Sports Project of the Year Award

This award recognises a project/ organisation that has developed and delivered interventions in the past 12 months (January 2019 – December 2019) and has demonstrated a significant impact to increasing participation amongst BAME communities.

Please note: For legacy purposes, nominees must either be an Affiliate Member of Sporting Equals, or work in partnership with Sporting Equals to be considered for an award. Members will be contacted to verify relationship.

Award Criteria:

  • Is predominantly engaging BAME communities
  • Has used innovation, creativity in engaging BAME communities
  • Has significantly increased participation in sport and physical activity (with evidence of more people participating/staying/succeeding in sport as a result of the intervention)
  • Can demonstrate sustainability and a clear legacy
  • Member or partner of Sporting Equals
Nominate For This Award

Sportsman of the Year Award

This award recognises and honours the achievements and elite performance of a male sportsperson who has excelled within their chosen sport.

Award Criteria:

  • Has made considerable sporting achievements over the past 12 months
  • Is committed, dedicated and passionate about their chosen sport
  • Has increased awareness of BAME communities in their chosen sport
  • Is a role model and inspiration to BAME communities
  • Has used their own achievements and experiences to have a positive impact on others
Nominate For This Award

Sportswoman of the Year Award

This award recognises and honours the achievements and elite performance of a female sportsperson who has excelled within their chosen sport.

Award Criteria:

  • Has made considerable sporting achievements over the past 12 months
  • Is committed, dedicated and passionate about their chosen sport
  • Has increased awareness of BAME communities in their chosen sport
  • Is a role model and inspiration to BAME communities
  • Has used their own achievements and experiences to have a positive impact on others
Nominate For This Award

Spirit of 2012 Connecting Communities Award

This award recognises a project that has had a significant impact on bringing communities together through sport or physical activity at a local level.

Please note: For legacy purposes, nominees must either be an Affiliate Member of Sporting Equals, or work in partnership with Sporting Equals to be considered for an award. Members will be contacted to verify relationship.

Award Criteria:

  • Has engaged at least 2 different faith/ethnic/race groups and increased their participation in sport and physical activity
  • Has significantly increased social cohesion in the local community through sport and physical activity – with the sport activity increasing social interaction and integration
  • Has created better understanding between faith/ethnic/race groups through sport and physical activity (breaking down myths and perceptions between groups).
  • Has demonstrated creative approaches to engage and deliver their project
  • Member or partner of Sporting Equals
Nominate For This Award

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement award honors someone who has made a major impact on the world of sport during their lifetime. There are no personal nominations or votes for this category, however suggestions are more than welcome.

Award Criteria:

  • Has been involved and had a successful career in elite sport for at least 10 years (including significant achievements in sport over their lifetime)
  • Has shown outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm towards sport
  • Is a role model and inspiration to others
  • Has made a positive impact on BAME communities 
  • Has increased participation in sport and physical activity through supporting communities and/or rising athletes (e.g. specific programmes and/ or legacy programmes which have enabled the nominee’s work to be continued).
Nominate For This Award

Thank you to everyone that attended BEDSA 2020

Stay tuned for next year!

photos from 2020 coming soon

YOU COULD GET A GRANT WORTH £20,000

Applications for the Young Lion Grant to the value of £20,000 close on April 1st 2020. This grant is open to anyone who is part of the BEDSA community

Find Out More & Apply for the Grant

About BEDSA

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