Introduction

The Elmbridge Sports Council (ESC) aims to promote sport throughout the Borough of Elmbridge, encourage youth participation in sport and assist, as much as possible, all clubs, societies, schools, colleges and sporting individuals in their quest for sporting success and participation. It is an independent body, administered by Elmbridge Borough Council.

Objectives

The Sports Council's primary objectives are to:

• Assess the recreational needs of the Elmbridge Borough and help to provide these needs
• Examine the need for improving existing facilities and offering advice on the provision of new facilities
• Provide the Borough Council and any interested organisation with a body of opinion, reflecting generally the views of local sports interest on matters concerning the development of sport and recreation within Elmbridge
• Encourage school leavers, young people and adults to take part in physical recreation
• Assist regional sports councils and authorities whenever possible to promote sporting activities and regional interests.

Annual Sports Personality Awards

Each year, a Sports Personality Awards Evening is held in the Borough. There are twelve categories for sports clubs, teams, individuals and schools, with each successful entry receiving prize money and a trophy. Entries are invited from all sports clubs, individuals, schools and colleges of all ages between August and the beginning of October each year.

Award Criteria:

• Nominees must either be a resident of Elmbridge, attend a school, or be a member of a sports club in the Borough.
• All achievements must have taken place in the 2008/09 season.
• Winners of the Elmbridge Sports Personality Awards will automatically be nominated for the Surrey Sports Awards.
• The decision of the selection panel is final and will be based on the information provided within the application.

The categories are as follows:

• Junior Sports Personality
• Youth Sports Personality
• Senior Sports Personality
• Junior Sports Team
• Youth Sports Team
• Senior Sports Team
• Disabled Sports Awards
• Schools Award - Team Award, Members up to 13 years of age
• Schools Award - Team Award, Members aged between 13-18 years of age
• The Mayor's Award
• Young Sporting Hero Award sponsored by Sandown Sports Club
• Mick Burgess Award sponsored by Mercedes Benz World

|Visit the Sports Awards webpage to find out more.

The Young Sporting Hero Award is generously sponsored by Sandown Sports Club and The Mick Burgess Award by Mercedes Benz World. The 2008 Awards produced many entries and a packed audience filled the main hall at Rydens School in Walton for the presentation evening.

Affiliated organisations

In 2009/2010, some 55 clubs, schools and colleges were affiliated to ESC. The affiliation fee is £10.00 and all affiliations are effective from 1 April each year. For 2010/2011, affiliations will be invited during March 2010 and are effective from 1 April 2010 to 31st March 2011. Affiliation fees can be paid by standing order to reduce the time and cost for both the ESC and the sports clubs.

Administration

The activities of ESC are administered by the General Committee, who meet several times per annum. There are 30 places for Members on the Committee comprising the President, three representatives from Elmbridge Borough Council, a representative from the Surrey County Playing Fields Association, a representative from the Regional Sports Council and 23 sports representatives. The Committee is constituted for each Municipal Year at the Annual General Meeting of the ESC which is held in May of each year and the sports representatives are appointed from clubs, schools and colleges who are affiliated to ESC.

Funds available

Grant Aid is available once a year for sports clubs and individuals in Elmbridge to assist with their various sporting pursuits and the sum of £10,000 is generously provided by Elmbridge Borough Council. Applications for grant aid are invited between February and April each year.

Other activities

Frequent mail-shots are distributed to all affiliated parties, containing items of sporting interest, literature relating to courses and updates for Members on dates of meetings and grant aid issues. Lottery Fund applications are also considered and comments are passed on to the National Lottery Sports Fund accordingly. ESC also comments on the sporting aspects and implications of any planning applications which affect sport within the Borough of Elmbridge.