BUSINESSES in the Basingstoke area are being encouraged to help celebrate sporting excellence by supporting one of the borough’s premier awards events.

The annual Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards event is a highlight of the local calendar and members of the Basingstoke and Deane Local Sports Council are hoping that local firms will come forward to provide sponsorship support for next year’s event.

Sports council chairman Kevin Laing said: “The awards have been going for 25 years and they have become an established and prestigious occasion. They celebrate the success of clubs, teams, coaches, officials, volunteers and individuals involved in sport in the Basingstoke and Deane area.

“The sports council volunteers are delighted with the support that we receive from our sponsors, many of whom have backed the awards for several years but we are also seeking to attract backing from new sponsors.

“The awards offer a great opportunity for companies to raise their profile as well as supporting the local sports community, and I would be delighted to talk to any company or organisation that might be interested in getting involved.”

Mr Laing said sponsorship support can be pledged from £200 upwards, with the package for a headline sponsor being £2,000. Anyone interested should contact him on basingstokelsc@btinternet.com.

The appeal for sponsorship support comes as the borough’s sporting stars are being invited to apply for cash backing through the Sports Grant Aid scheme, which is funded by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council – a leading supporter of the sports awards – and administered by the sports council.

The funding can be used to help with everything from travelling and coaching expenses to competition entry fees, equipment and clothing requirements.

Those people applying for a grant should be of at least county standard and between the ages of 10 and 24. This year, the council has contributed £6,500 to the scheme, and a total has been committed in excess of £170,000 over many years.

Grant aid applicants may also be considered for scholarships and support from local facilities, including the sports centre, Aquadrome and Tadley Pool.

Applicants are also considered for the local and county sports awards.

Councillor Cathy Osselton, council Cabinet member for partnerships, said: “The Grant Aid scheme, sports awards and scholarship scheme is not only a celebration of the wonderful achievements of our sporting stars, but acknowledges the sheer hard work, dedication and often financial input required to achieve such levels.

“Where we can, we want to celebrate and support our sporting stars in their drive to achieve national and international honours.”

The deadline for grant applications and sports awards nominations is Saturday, December 6.

The sports awards will take place on February 27 next year at The Apollo Hotel, in Basingstoke, which, with Gazette Newspapers, is one of the major, and longest-standing, sponsors of the event.

For application and nomination forms, and more information regarding the Sports Grant Aid scheme, please visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/go/sportsawards, or contact Amy Sambell on 01256 845752 or amy.sambell@basingstoke.gov.uk.