Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Sponsoring Disability Sport Awards

National law firm Irwin Mitchell has teamed up with Boccia England to support the organisation’s annual awards, which celebrate sporting achievements and look to recognise outstanding athletes, coaches, boccia clubs and inspirational volunteers across England.

This year’s nominations have now opened and will remain open until 30^th April 2015. The awards will recognise individuals and boccia clubs in the following categories.

• Club of the Year
• Participation/Community Coach Of The Year
• Performance Coach Of The Year
• Young Coach Of The Year
• Volunteer Of The Year
• Junior Athlete Of The Year
• Athlete Of The Year
• Team Of The Year
• Young Official Of The Year
• Official Of The Year

Boccia is a disability sport, which will feature in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, that tests muscle control and accuracy. There are currently 65 affiliated with Boccia England.

Stuart Henderson, Managing Partner of the personal injury team at Irwin Mitchell, said:

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“We are delighted to be helping Boccia England with its annual awards to help recognise the players, coaches, clubs, officials and volunteers that enable people to play the sport across England.

“The sport is inclusive of all abilities and shows what can be achieved by those determined not to let their disability stop them from playing sports, as well as the showcasing the inspirational activities of volunteers who are determined to give back to their local community through boccia.

“At Irwin Mitchell we have helped set up boccia clubs in both Leeds and Sheffield and we hope to spread the message wider, both within our company, and to the public by helping to support this year’s Boccia England awards.” Stuart Henderson - Partner

The winners in each of the categories will receive their awards at Boccia England events in Sheffield throughout April, May and July.

Marc Scott, Club Development and Safeguarding Officer at Boccia England, said: “Everyone at Boccia England and all its members and clubs are doing fantastic work to raise awareness of the sport and to enable as many people as possible to get involved in it across the country.

“We want to recognise the individuals, teams and clubs that have done so much to progress our sport in the last 12 months.

“Nominations for this year’s awards are now open and we would encourage people to put forward players, coaches, volunteers, clubs and officials so they can be recognised for all of their events in 2015.”

Anyone looking to make a nomination for any, or all, of the ten categories can click here to access the nomination form.