Survey Nominations Information

TENNIS SUSSEX AWARDS NOMINATION CRITERIA
Winners will be judged against the criteria below and for achievements made in 2017, with the exception of the Outstanding Achievement award which recognises lifetime achievements.

Achievements that do not meet the criteria and made prior to 2017 will be discounted, and nominators are strongly encouraged to provide as much evidence as possible within the submission (tangible facts supported by figures and outcomes etc.).

If you are not able to answer every aspect of the criteria, or do not have access to statistics etc., you are still encouraged to submit a nomination as this information can be added to your nomination at a later date. Please note: - In the case of categories where individuals can be nominated please note they may be paid or unpaid in their role with the exception of the volunteer award which is unpaid.

· Nominations must be between 40 – 50 words.

· The selection panel (judges’ panel) will consist of one member of the Tennis Sussex team, one member from a Sussex club, (by invitation), plus another representative from either the LTA South East region team or another independent person.

The following award categories are open for nominations.

Question Title

* 1. YOUNG VOLUNTEER AWARD – The nominee:

Young Volunteer
·         Is aged 18 or under on 31st December 2017.
·         Has made a significant impact in tennis.
·         Has provided and/or supported the opportunity for more people to play, watch, volunteer or coach in tennis
·         Has shown excellent teamwork skills.
·         Has made a commitment to self-development, such as participating in a course, learning a new skill, or taking on a new role.
How do you feel the nominee has made a significant impact in tennis in 2017?

Questions Young Volunteer:
Will the nominee be aged 18 or under on 31st December 2017?
How do you feel the nominee has made a significant impact in tennis in 2017?
Examples might include: what the nominee has done to make a difference to players, club members, the local community, coaches or perhaps to tennis as a whole.
Give examples of how the nominee has provided and/or supported the opportunity for more people to play, watch, volunteer or coach in tennis.
Examples might include: helping a coach to get more kids to play mini tennis, running a successful event or competition, using social media to help a club or programme grow its membership, managing a club or tennis website, having new ideas for growing the game.
Give examples of when the nominee has shown excellent teamwork skills.
Examples might include: team working with coaches, other young volunteers, with a committee, a school or an external partner. The nomination will be strengthened by including examples of where they’ve worked with people from different ages and backgrounds. Please include the role that the young volunteer played within the team.
How has the nominee made a commitment to self-development?
Examples might include: completing courses, training, learning new skills, leading other volunteers or getting involved in new roles or activities.

Question Title

* 2. Volunteer of the Year Adult sponsored by Wilson Sandford chartered Accountants
·         A member of a Sussex Registered club or a helper who has gone the extra mile in the past 12 months.
·         Has made a significant impact in tennis in any voluntary capacity.
·         Has provided and/or supported the opportunity for more people to play, watch, volunteer or coach in tennis.
·         Has shown excellent teamwork skills, and engages well with people of all ages and from different backgrounds.

Examples might include: what the nominee has done to make a difference to players, club members, the local community, coaches or perhaps to tennis as a whole.
How has the nominee provided or supported the opportunity for people to be involved in tennis either as a player, spectator, volunteer or coach?
Examples might include: helping to increase club membership, running an event to attract new players, running a marketing campaign, running a successful tennis event or competition, being innovative, bringing new initiatives to the tennis community, recruiting volunteers.
Give examples of when the nominee has shown excellent teamwork skills.
Examples may include: working well with a committee, a school, an external partner, for the benefit of players/members, volunteers, coaches etc. The nomination will be strengthened by including any examples of where they’ve worked with people of different ages and backgrounds. Please include the role that the volunteer played within the team.

Question Title

* 3. Park of the Year/ COMMUNITY VENUE OF THE YEAR /Community Scheme of the Year
·         The Park has to be a Sussex Park registered to Tennis Sussex or run by a Licensed or Registered LTA coach.
·         Has seen a growth in people playing tennis over the past year, and provides excellent customer service to its participants.
·         Has strong leadership or leadership team with a strong focus on financial sustainability.
·         Has a strong presence in the local community and is inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
·         Uses innovation and technology for running a successful venue.
Questions

How much has the community venue grown in the past year, and how does it provide excellent customer service?
State here how the community programme has grown in terms of the number of people playing tennis. Statistics are very helpful if you have them but can be added by your County at a later date. The nomination will be strengthened by specific examples of how the club provides excellent customer service, has a welcoming and positive environment, puts on social events or competitions etc.
Please give examples of the venue’s strong leadership or leadership team.
Examples might include: how everyone involved at the venue works together including organisers, coaches, volunteers and parents, and how the leadership team ensures the venue is financially sustainable.
Has a strong presence in the local community and is inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Examples might include: how well the venue connects with the local community, and finds ways to attract players and volunteers that are representative of the area. This could be demonstrated with a great local partnership, innovative marketing, open days, the profile of members or another example that shows a really inclusive environment.
How has the club used innovation and technology for running a successful club?
Examples might include: innovative ways to grow participation such as effective marketing and promotion, use of technology and social media.

Question Title

* 4. Coach of the Year
·         The coach must actively work within Sussex.
·         Holds LTA Accreditation or Accreditation +
·         Has made a significant impact on a player, players, a coaching programme, a club or a community programme.
·         Has demonstrated quality on-court delivery and excellent customer service.
·         Is inclusive and provides opportunities to players of different ages, abilities and backgrounds.
·         Has helped to develop other coaches and young people.
Questions
What are the coaching achievements of the nominee in 2017 (what impact have they made)?
Examples may include: helping to increase participation, the progress or success of a player/players (such as improved rankings or results), and/or an increase in club membership.
Give examples of the nominee’s quality coaching delivery, innovation and customer service over the past year.
Give examples of when the nominee been inclusive and has provided opportunities to people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds?
How has the nominee encouraged other coaches and young people to develop?
Examples might include: how the nominee has helped other coaches/young people in terms of developing their personal or coaching skills, helping them into careers or other opportunities in tennis.

Question Title

* 5. Club of the Year sponsored by RT Williams Insurance Brookers Ltd
·         Is an LTA registered venue.
·         Has seen a growth in membership and people playing tennis over the past year, providing excellent customer service to members and participants.
·         Has a strong leadership team with excellent working relationships between the committee, coach(es) and members, with a strong focus on financial sustainability.
·         Is inclusive and has good links  with the local community.
·         Uses innovation and technology for running a successful club.
How much has the club grown over the past year?
How much has the club grown over the past year?
State here how the club has grown in the past year in terms of membership or the number of people playing tennis. Statistics are very helpful but can be added by your County at a later date if you do not know these. The nomination will be strengthened by specific examples of how the club provides excellent customer service, has a welcoming and positive environment, puts on social events or competitions etc.
Give examples of the club’s strong leadership team and excellent working relationships
Examples might include: the great working relationships between the committee, coach(es) and members, how the leadership team makes the club financial sustainable.
Give examples of how the club is inclusive and has good links with the local community.
Examples might include: how the club connects with the local community, businesses, schools and community groups, and how the club engages members and volunteers who are representative of the surrounding area.
How has the club used innovation and technology for running a successful club?
Examples might include: innovative ways to grow and develop the club, effective marketing and promotion, great use of technology and social media.

Question Title

* 6. Education Award sponsored by The Physio Rooms

The Education Award can be awarded to a school, college or university which meets the criteria below.

To be a Sussex individual, club or community organization that has played a vital role in increasing participation and making a difference to schools tennis.The Education Award recognises an individual, club or community organisation that has played a vital role in increasing participation and making a real difference to schools tennis.
·         Has, in the past year, offered a significant and varied tennis programme of coaching and competitions for a large proportion of students or pupils of all abilities.
·         Offers students or pupils the chance to develop their life and/or employability skills through tennis, by offering courses such as Tennis Leaders, Coaching Assistant, Competition Organisers and/or Coaching Qualification courses.
·         Has successful and sustainable links with the local community and/or local tennis venues.
Questions
What tennis programme(s) is offered to students/pupils?

Examples might include:_

The range of tennis activities, coaching and competitions and the extent to which students/pupils, of all abilities, are able to participate and how many take part in the various activities

How does the school/college/university offer pupils or students the chance to develop their life skills through tennis?
Examples might include: how the nominee offers cross curricular activities, tennis leader courses and coach qualification courses.

In primary schools:-
Examples might show how tennis is used to support other learning.

In secondary schools:-
Examples might show how leadership is encouraged though tennis and tennis leader courses.

In colleges/universities: examples might show how coach qualification courses are used to enhance life skills and employability learning.
How has the school/college/university developed successful and sustainable links with local tennis venues and the community?
Examples might include:-
how well a school is connected with local tennis clubs or community venues and what activities take place jointly; how a college or university appropriate ratios of organisers/coaches for the activities; the inclusive environment across the venue(s).
How has the venue/programme demonstrated innovation and use of technology to grow and develop the programme?
Examples might include:
ideas used for growing participation, effective marketing and promotion, and use of technology and social media.

Question Title

* 7. Disability Program Award sponsored by Friends of Tennis Sussex

·         To be a Sussex individual, club or community organization.
·         Has provided quality accessible and affordable opportunities for more people with a disability to play, volunteer or work in tennis – taking either a pan-disability approach or an impairment specific one.
·         Has grown the number of participants over the past year and provided excellent customer service to participants
·         Has provided a safe and inclusive environment that caters for all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
·         Has demonstrated innovation and use of technology to grow and develop the programme.

Questions:-

Is the nominee a venue or a programme of disability tennis across a number of venues and a pan disability programme or an impairment specific one?
A programme may be in one venue alone or a coordinated programme of tennis activities in a number of venues under one organisation. In either case it may include activities for different types of disabilities including some or all of players with learning difficulties, in wheelchairs, with hearing impairments or sight impairment. Or it may be a programme for one specific disability. 
What are the opportunities offered that enable more people to get involved in tennis?
Examples might include: the range of tennis activities, coaching and competitions and how many take part in the various activities, great volunteering, coaching or employment opportunities. Statistics are very helpful but if can be added later by the County if you do not have access to these.
How has the venue/programme grown over the past year and how good is the customer experience?
State here how the programme has grown in terms of the number of people playing tennis. Statistics are very helpful if you have them but can be added by your County at a later date. The nomination will be strengthened by specific examples of how the club provides excellent customer service, has a welcoming and positive environment, puts on social events or competitions etc.
How has the venue/programme provided a safe and inclusive environment for all ages, abilities and backgrounds?
Examples might include: the provision of ramps for wheelchairs, the correct equipment used for activities, accessible facilities and toilets, coaches appropriately trained and appropriate ratios of organisers/coaches for the activities; the inclusive environment across the venue(s)
How has the venue/programme demonstrated innovation and use of technology to grow and develop the programme?
Examples might include: ideas used for growing participation, effective marketing and promotion, and use of technology and social media.

Question Title

* 8. OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT/Robert Cushing Award

·         In recognition of the unique contribution made over many years by our late President, this award is for outstanding service in his memory. The main criteria for selection will be several years of unpaid service for the betterment of tennis in Sussex at County or Club level.
·  Is an inspirational role model who has made a significant impact in tennis in any capacity over a number of years (paid or unpaid) showing a lifetime dedication to the sport.
·   Has provided the opportunity for more people to play, watch, volunteer or coach in tennis.
·   Has developed a legacy in tennis: either in a venue(s), in the wider community, or to the sport as a whole.
·   Has shown excellent teamwork skills, engaging with people from all ages and backgrounds throughout their involvement.

Questions

How has the nominee made a significant impact in tennis in any capacity over a number of years (paid or unpaid) showing a lifetime dedication to the sport?
Try to include as many specific examples as possible.
How has the nominee provided the opportunity for more people to play, watch, volunteer or coach in tennis?
Try to include as many specific examples as possible.
How has the nominee developed a legacy in tennis either in a club, in a community venue, in coaching, in the wider community, or to the sport as a whole?
Try to include as many specific examples as possible
How has the nominee shown excellent teamwork skills, engaging with people from all ages and backgrounds throughout their involvement?
Examples might include: working well in clubs/committees, Counties, schools, external partners and for the benefit of players/members, volunteers, coaches etc. The nomination will be strengthened by including any examples of where they’ve worked with people of different ages and backgrounds. Please include the roles that the nominee had within the team(s).

Question Title

* 9. OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

·         Has shown outstanding contribution to British Tennis in any officiating capacity, going above and beyond the minimum requirement for their certification/grade.
·         Is an ambassador for British Tennis and a role model, inspiring new and existing officials through their work.
·         Has shown personal development over the past year.

Questions
How has the nominee shown an outstanding contribution to British Tennis in any officiating capacity, going above and beyond the minimum requirement for their certification/grade?
Include in your answer any details about where the nominee officiated and how they went the extra mile in their role.
In what way is the nominee an ambassador for British Tennis and a role model for new and existing officials.
Include in your answer any examples of where the nominee has inspired other officials through their work.
How has the nominee shown personal development over the past year?
Examples may include: development of their skill set, partaking in courses or training, taking on new challenges.

Question Title

* 10. COMPETITION OF THE YEAR

•      Has seen growth in player numbers and/or entries over the past year.
•      Has provided an excellent and inclusive competition to its competitors, with high tournament satisfaction scores.
•      Has demonstrated innovation in order to grow and develop the competition.
•      Is well organised and was delivered with a team approach, with a close working relationship with local clubs and coaches.

Questions
What was the growth in 2017 in player numbers and/or entries?
If possible add some statistics but if you don’t have access to these, they can be added by your County at a later date.
How did the nominee provide an excellent and inclusive competition to its competitors?
If possible add some statistics, such as customer satisfaction scores, but if you don’t have access to these, they can added at a later date (if recorded).
How did the competition organisers demonstrate use of innovation in order to grow and develop the competition?
Examples may include: innovative marketing & promotion, utilising technology, competition formats; plans to improve and/or grow the competition.
How well organised was the event and how well did the organising team work together?
Examples may include: good links with local clubs and coaches, evidence of how well the competition was organised.

Question Title

* 11. TEAM CAPTAIN  – The nominee:

  • Must be passionate about tennis and well organised
  • Must have led a team to success.
  • Engages with all members of their team
  • Models handling success as well as failures
  • “Leads by example.”
  • Is an advocate of Fair Play

Question Title

* 12. Team of the Year -

The award will recognise the team that has achieved the most notable performance over the past year.

Please provide evidence that demonstrates how, over the past year, the team’s achievements, effort and cohesion can be distinguished from others in this category.

Please note that the winning team may not necessarily be competing at a regional or national standard.
·         Sussex Team made up of Sussex players.
·         Adult team must have one player over 18 in the team.

T