If there's one thing that illustrates that the future of sport in Farnham is alive and well it is the annual celebration of local sport, the Farnham Sports Awards.

Nominations for this year are now open.

Past winners of the main award – the Farnham Sports Personality of the Year – include cricketer Graham Thorpe and rugby player Jonny Wilkinson, but there have been hundreds of different winners since the awards initiative started in 1973.

David Gill, the chairman of Farnham Sports Council, said: “There have been so many talented and high-achieving sports men, women, boys and girls in Farnham during 2024 that we'd love to give them all the recognition they deserve.”

Last year’s winner of the Team of the Year was Badshot Lea FC – but who’ll win this year's award?
Last year’s winner of the Team of the Year was Badshot Lea FC – but who’ll win this year's award? (Farnham Sports Council)

He added: “Besides the individual opportunities, there are also categories for successful sports teams and clubs, as well as coaches, those with disabilities and those volunteers who give great service to local sport.”

The biggest provider of community sport and recreation opportunities in Farnham are the local sports clubs and the majority of nominations each year come from the clubs themselves who wish to highlight the achievements of the club or the special achievements of those within the club.

However, the sports council welcome nominations from all sections of the community.

Sue Keogh, the sports council's secretary, said: “I’d like to stress that it's a quick and easy process and all worthy entries will be acknowledged at the Farnham Sports Awards at the event on Monday, February 3 – it's a great occasion with the mayors of Waverley and Farnham presenting the awards.”

She added: “When completing the form please be sure, in fairness to the judging integrity of the awards, you follow the criteria set out by the sports council as closely as possible.

“The average nomination takes about 15 minutes to complete so please spare a moment to nominate those who deserve it in time for the closing date in mid-January.”

Many clubs will have received the information directly from Sue Keogh but anyone who requires the details and the nomination form should email Caroline Abbey by emailing [email protected]