Finalists announced for the 2024 Community Celebration Awards

An exciting line-up of former athletes and civic dignitaries will assemble at an awards ceremony designed to champion the best of community sport in Birmingham.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Sport England’s Executive Director of Place, and Sharon Thompson, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), are among the special guests set to attend Sport Birmingham’s Community Celebration Awards.

Taking place at Edgbaston Stadium on Thursday, November 21 at 6.30pm, the awards will highlight the inspirational community work that goes on in the city and how sport is used to engage with people in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

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Ten categories will be recognised at the event, which forms part of Sport Birmingham’s tenth anniversary celebrations. The full list of former sportspeople attending is still being finalised.

Mike Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer of Sport Birmingham, said: “It’s exciting to see nominations for our ten award categories pouring in, and invited guests confirming their attendance for this special occasion.

“We’re very much looking forward to bringing together amazing community sport organisations and our local and national partners, plus a sprinkling of top local athletes, to celebrate community sport and our own 10-year journey.”

Outstanding contributions to sport and physical activity in the city will be acknowledged with five awards going to organisations and five to individuals.

Awards for Community Impact, Innovation and Creativity, Partnership, Education and Sport for Good Initiatives will be presented to the top-performing organisations. The individual section will be made up of awards for Outstanding Volunteer, Leadership, Young Achiever, Inspirational Story and Inclusion.

Birmingham City University, Ninja Warrior UK and Vision4All are confirmed as sponsors of the event. Talks around event sponsorship are ongoing with other businesses and organisations.

Dan Smith (Business Development Manager) added: "I’m genuinely inspired by the incredible work of our finalists for the Community Celebration Awards.

"These individuals and organisations demonstrate the positive impact sport and physical activity have on our communities, often transforming lives and creating lasting change. Each finalist reflects dedication, resilience, and the spirit of collaboration, values that drive our work forward.

"We’re excited to come together on the 21st of November at Edgbaston Stadium to celebrate their achievements and thank our sponsors and partners for helping make this event a reality."

Here are the finalists for the Community Celebration Awards:

Community Impact Award (sponsored by StreetGames UK ):

• Alvechurch Football Club

• BBX Fitness

• Our Community Foundation

Innovation and Creativity Award (sponsored by Mills and Reeve ):

• Birmingham Newman University

• InUnity

• Pitch 2 Progress

Partnership Award (sponsored by Play Innovation ):

• Saheli Hub and Edgbaston Priory

• Our Community Foundation

• Volunteer it Yourself

Education Award (sponsored by Birmingham City University ):

• Coach Core

• Paget Primary School

• Spark Active

Sport for Good Initiative Award (sponsored by Gowling ):

• Coach Core

• InUnity

• Midland Mencap – Parkride

Outstanding Volunteer Award (sponsored by United By 2022 ):

• Helen Ogbourn

• Shahid Khan

• Yusra Qasem

Leadership Award (sponsored by Vision for All ):

• Alison Mapp

• Haroon Hussain

• Mick Sherratt

Young Achiever Award (sponsored by University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness ):

• Khiaan-Paul Schild

• Romay Francis

• Zain Khan

Inspirational Story Award (sponsored by Fit Fast Academy ):

• Malikah Khan

• Olaolu Erinfolami

• Zain Khan

Inclusion Award (sponsored by National Grid ):

• Jamila Bi

• Layla Banaras

• Sarah Lilly