The Mid Ulster Sports Awards aims to recognise those people who have excelled in the world of sport and recognise the valuable contribution and time commitment of individuals and teams across the Mid Ulster District Council area.
Shortlisted finalists announced!
We are pleased to announce the finalists in the 2026 Mid Ulster Sports Awards. The shortlisted finalists are:
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Award Category
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Finalists
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Volunteer of the Year
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Ciara Callan
Lisa Bell
Hannah Briggs
Jennifer Mc Guigan
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Unsung Hero
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Pippa Johnston
Gerry Kelly
Fionnuala Mc Grath
Stephen Cuddy
Barry Devlin
Paddy Leonard
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Coach of the Year
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Adrian Kelly
Niall Bell
Paul Sweeney
Emmett Mc Veigh
Johnny Mc Garvey
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Young Sports Person of the Year
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Grace Evans
Cahir Mc Master
Charlie Taggart
Charlie Townsend
Cahir Mullin
Dillon Mc Elroy
Clare Mc Stocker
Charlie Condy
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Sports Person of the Year (Disability)
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Andre Neves
Ruairi Kelly
Dylan Hunter
Harry Robinson
Thomas Briggs
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Team of the Year
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Derry Senior Hurling Team
Cookstown Pairs Bowling Team
Stewartstown Harps Senior Ladies Team
Dungannon Penguins Special Olympics Club
Maghera Ladies 1st XI Cricket Team
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Youth Team of the Year
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Dungannon RFC u14s
Magherafelt Sky Blues 2016 Blades
U14.5 St Josephs College Coalisland O'Doherty Cup Winners
Wolfe Tones Bellaghy - U15 Camogie Feile Team
U13/14 Duiche Neill Hurling Team
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Club of the Year
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Castlecaulfield Youth FC
Duiche Neill Benburb Hurling Club
Magherafelt Titans Basketball Club
Magherafelt Sky Blues FC
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Sports Person of the Year
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Lisa Bowman
Randall Crooks
Teo Alin
Mark Wilson
Max Anderson
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Sports Photo of the Year
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Katie Birnie
Mike Long
Nicola Coyle
Ciara & Chloe Callan
Ballinascreen Scouts
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Shortlisted finalists are invited to The Burnavon Theatre on Wednesday 18 November 2026 to celebrate their sporting achievements and hear the winners in each category announced.
Nominations are now closed.
Nominations are welcomed from sports clubs, physical activity groups, schools and members of the public across the nine award categories for teams and individuals, coaches, officials and volunteers.
Detailed information should be provided about the nominees sporting performance and/or outstanding sporting achievements between 1st October 2025 - 30th September 2026.
To nominate, just complete the form at the nominate now link below. All teams/individuals can complete only one nomination in each of the nine categories available.
As nominations continue to come in, we’d like to remind everyone that we can only accept ONE NOMINATION for each person, team or club in each category.
Please do not submit multiple entries for the same nominee, take a little time to make your nomination count!
Please make sure your application:
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Includes the correct information.
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Highlights the nominee’s achievements and contributions.
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Clearly explains why they deserve to win, with specific examples where possible.
Nominations are judged on quality of the nomination that is submitted, not the number of enteries recieved.
Please read the guidance notes prior to submitting your online nomination. Nominations will close at 12 midnight on Sunday 25th October 2026.
Please note: The Assessment Panel can only score on information provided in the nomination form so it is important that you read the guidance notes and complete each section, supplying as much information as possible to enable the assessment panel to award an appropriate score.
All Nominees must participate or reside in the Mid Ulster District Council Area.
Return of nominations
If you are unable to submit an online nomination, you can request to submit a hard copy nomination. Hard copy nominations WILL NOT be accepted unless you have obtained prior permission. For more details on the Sports Awards or to request a hard copy nomination form contact:
Steven Mc Elhatton
Steven.mcelhatton@midulstercouncil.org
Phone: 03000 132 132 Extension: 22556
This years' categories are:
Sports Person of the Year Award
This award recognises a high achieving sports person (over 18). The Sports Person of the Year should have achieved at a high level, show strong leadership, set a good example, and uphold high behavioural and sporting standards. They should go above and beyond in support for, and participation in, their sport. Nomination forms should include details of all sporting achievements, including competitions and honours at club, county, regional, national, and international levels. The form should include an indication of the nominee’s strong leadership, going above and beyond, level of commitment to their sport (training schedule, dedication), opportunities taken to develop and other contributions to roles such as mentor, coach, or club ambassador.
Young Sports Person of the Year Award (18 and under)
This award recognises a high achieving sports person (18 and under). The Young Sports Person of the Year should have achieved at a high level, show strong leadership, set a good example and uphold high behavioural and sporting standards. They should go above and beyond in support for, and participation in, their sport. Nomination forms should include details of all sporting achievements, including competitions and honours at club, county, regional, national, and international levels. The form should include an indication of the nominee’s strong leadership, going above and beyond, level of commitment to their sport (training schedule, dedication), opportunities taken to develop and other contributions to roles such as mentor, coach, or club ambassador.
Sports Person of the Year Award (Disability)
This award recognises sports people with a disability. Nomination forms should include details of all sporting achievements, including competitions and honours at club, county, regional, national, and international levels. The form should include an indication of the nominee’s level of commitment to their sport (training schedule, dedication), challenges that have been overcome, opportunities taken to develop and other contributions to roles such as mentor, coach or club ambassador.
Team of the Year Award
This award recognises a successful sports team of the year in terms of performance and achievement. Nomination forms should specify the achievements of the team during the year, including any standout individual achievements, obstacles overcome and excellent co-operation in working towards a shared goal. Teams may have achieved excellence at club, county, regional, national, or international level.
Youth Team of the Year Award (18 and under)
This award recognises a successful youth sports team (18 and under) of the year in terms of performance and achievement. Nomination forms should specify the achievements of the team during the year, including any standout individual achievements, obstacles overcome and excellent co-operation in working towards a shared goal. Teams may have achieved excellence at club, county, regional, national, or international level.
Club of the Year Award
This award recognises success in all areas of a club. The nomination form should highlight how the club has succeeded in performance and achievement, leadership, participation, sustainability and development and connection with the wider community. The Nomination Form should include details of a Club’s achievements in terms of teams and individuals, the range of demographics, level of activity, any new innovate developments, commitment to the continuous development of members, coaches, volunteers and opportunities for non-players and non-members to participate.
Coach of the Year Award
This category recognises unpaid coaches who have made an outstanding contribution to coaching. This can be either through getting more people involved in local sport, or by working with athletes at a high level and achieving club or athlete success working with potential recognition at national/international level. Nomination forms should include details of the level and range of achievements, progress and development and commitment to coaching e.g. hours, mentoring, support provided.
Volunteer of the Year Award
This category recognises Volunteers who have given an invaluable contribution with their sport as an administrator, coach or official. A volunteer is described as someone who
does not get paid for their services but may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. Nomination forms should include details of the progress and development this volunteer has brought to the club and the range of achievements it has resulted in.
Unsung Hero of the Year Award
This category recognises an unsung hero. The Unsung Hero award celebrates volunteers who make a positive impact in their community by enabling participation in grassroots sports. This person has achieved great things yet is not normally celebrated or recognised. Nomination forms should include details of the level and range of contributions to club life and connections with the wider community.
Sports Photo of the Year
This category recognises the Sports Photo of the Year. Taken by an amateur photographer, whose photo celebrates a single unedited photo that captures the passion, intensity, and emotion of sport at its finest. The defining moment in time tells a powerful story of determination, triumph and the spirit of competition.
The Sports photo celebrates a single unedited photo that captures the passion, intensity, and emotion of sport at its finest. Nomination forms should include details of the sporting event. All Nominees must participate or reside in the Mid Ulster District Council Area.
This information can be made available in alternative formats, such as audio, braille, easy read or large print and may be provided in alternative languages, upon request. Please contact Mid Ulster District Council’s Policy Engagement & Equality Officer on 03000 132 132, Ext 24612 or via ann.mcaleer@midulstercouncil.org.
The decision of the judging panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.