Sporting association, The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) Sheffield, are hosting their first ever awards ceremony this month, where they will celebrate stand-out contributions to physical activity across Sheffield.
They have received over 150 nominations across 14 categories, and a panel of health leaders have shortlisted nominees to three per category.
On 28 March, the awards will celebrate a host of individuals, teams, and organisations, bringing together 290 people from all over the city who contribute and encourage the health and activity of Sheffield.
Move More is the physical activity strategy for Sheffield, with the vision of creating a healthier, happier, and more connected city bringing people together with a shared purpose.
The strategy seeks to enhance the city’s health and well-being, and unite people around the common goal of promoting action across Sheffield.
Rachael Weston, a leader of the Move More initiative, said: “It’s really just about us understanding local context and helping to connect and influence what’s happening with different partners to make sure physical activity is accessible as possible for the community, in whatever that looks like for them.”
Move More partner with different clubs, organisations and grassroots sectors to provide opportunities for physical activity.
They are especially committed to supporting women and girls, people with disabilities and those from communities and backgrounds with lesser access to movement.
Move More are particularly aware of the disparities that influence levels of activity across the city, and the shortlist of nominees consists of those challenging or defying barriers to accessibility and inclusion.
As put by Rachael Weston: “Sheffield is not a massive place, but actually, within Sheffield, it can be so varied in terms of people’s health and their opportunities to access things such as physical activity.”
“Sheffield is a very diverse city, and you can go from one postcode to the next, and the sort of deprivation levels can be quite stark.”
Strategies like Move More and the honouring of community efforts to bolster activity, is a part of a longer-term goal of lifting sport and physical activity in Sheffield.
The awards evening is to recognise and celebrate valuable assets to the community, many of whom, according to Ms Weston, “go above and beyond anything that’s on a job description”.
The Shortlisted Nominees confirmed so far:
Move More Community Project of the Year: Reach Up Youth, OnBoard Skatepark, Darnall Education and Sport Academy
Move More Physical Activity Provider of the Year: Mettle (Dave Hembrough), Firth Park Boxing Academy (Hussein Nasser), Access Sport BMX Outreach Programme
Move More Community Activity Champion of the Year: Nathan Pearson, Tyrone Yeboah, Kellyanne Watts
Move More Trailblazer in Active Travel Transformation Award: Chella Quint, Cycle Sheffield, Sheffield Cycling 4 All
Move More Clinical Service of the Year: Down 2 U Health and Wellbeing (Adam Siu), Long Covid Rehabilitation Hub and Exercise Group, Post TIA and Stroke Exercise Promotion (Dr Ali Ali)
Move More Educational Champion: Links School Sport Partnership (Kim Horton), E-ACT Pathways Academy (Thomas Froggatt), Nether Green Junior School (Tom Hancock)
Move More Educational Setting of the Year: Sheffield Wednesday Community College – Alternative Provision, E-ACT Pathways Academy, Ballifield Primary School
Move More Green Space Vitality and Accessibility Champion Award: River Stewardship Company, Green Estate CIC, SOAR Community (Helen Taylor)
