Each year, the event welcomes recognised athletes, coaches, volunteers, schools, councillors, sponsors, businesses and other professional partners who all come together to give their support and commemorate local individuals and groups of their incredible achievements over the past year.

Physical activity is crucial to support our physical and mental wellbeing, therefore this is a chance for organisations and partners to network and support this important topic.

Read more about our 2023 categories below. This years nomination period is now closed.

Catch up on all the action from the night here.

Introducing Our 2023 Essex Activity Award Categories and Winners

Sports Personality of the Year

An individual who has made a significant achievement in the last year in their chosen sport or discipline. This can be at a national or international level and either individually or as part of a team. Open to all athletes – non-disabled and those with a disability.
Must be aged 18 or over on 1st September 2023.

WINNER: Daniel McGauley

Shortlisted nominees for this category are:
- Angel Meydan, Chelmsford
- Bethany Shriever, Braintree
- Daniel McGauley, Colchester

Young Sports Personality of the Year

An individual who has made a significant achievement in the last year in their chosen sport or discipline. This can be at a national or international level and either individually or as part of a team. Open to all athletes – non-disabled and those with a disability.
Must be aged under 18 on 1st September 2023.

WINNER: Freia Challis
Shortlisted nominees for this category are:
- Arthur Ballard, Maldon
- Freia Challis, Braintree
- Olivia Forrest, Brentwood

Unsung Hero

A volunteer, coach or instructor who has made an outstanding long-term contribution to local sport or physical activity. This could be a dedicated individual who you feel deserves recognition for their commitment to supporting and developing opportunities for residents in Essex to get active, over the years.

WINNER: Paul Howard

Sports Club Of The Year

A sports club who has been able to provide organised sport opportunities, keeping their members engaged and have encouraged individuals to try something new. This club has achieved great things this year or made some stand out changes to make their opportunities accessible for all.

WINNER: Team Awesome

Strengthening Communities Award

An organisation, project or group who use physical activity and sport as an engagement tool, making a positive impact on their community by developing connections, promoting stronger communities and ensuring inclusion and resilience. They may work with specific groups such as disability, ethnic diverse communities, women and girls or other underrepresented group, to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for all.

WINNER: Alt Movement

Essex ActivAte Provider Of The Year

A Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) provider, through the Essex ActivAte programme, who has provided exceptional opportunities for young people across the school holidays,continues to go above and beyond, and have supported families across their community, using physical activity.

WINNER: The Lighthouse Social Club

Education Provider Of The Year

A school, early years or further education setting that gives its pupils a wide range of opportunities to participate in high quality physical education and extra-curricular sport. They will help young people understand and embrace daily exercise as beneficial to their health and wellbeing at school and beyond the academic years.

WINNER: Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Primary School

Find Your Active Champion

An individual, or a person from a group / organisation who has supported you to ‘find your active’. This award offers the chance for you to recognise and thank an individual who has inspired or motivated you to get active, someone who has supported you to begin your active journey or an individual who has encouraged you to find a new activity to try.

Health And Wellbeing Award

An individual, organisation or group who support the wellbeing of residents in Essex through the use of physical activity, which has in turn positively impacted participants mental and emotional health.

WINNER: Trailnet CIC

Workplace Team Of The Year

A workplace, team or organisation who have supported staff mental wellbeing and encouraged individuals to get active. The team may be generating innovative ideas and opportunities to change sedentary behaviour or promote better physical and mental wellbeing.

WINNER: Essex Recovery Foundation

Active Essex

Our Sponsors

Download our Essex Activity Awards FAQs 2023 here.

Download the Essex Activity Awards Terms and Conditions 2023 here.

Essex Activity Awards 2022

The Essex Activity Awards last year received over 500 nominations for the 11 categories, followed by 3000 votes for our public voting categories.

The awards ceremony, to crown our winners, then took place at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Tuesday 6th December. Hosted by Dr Zoe Williams, GP and TV Presenter, and Danny Crates, Paralympic Gold Medallist, the Essex Activity Awards recognised and celebrated achievements throughout our county, with support from Headline Sponsor, Writtle University College.

You can read all about our winners and the events of the evening here, or take a look at our highlight video below!