THE inaugural Bradford Sports Awards are exactly two weeks away – and the excitement is building!

Sponsored by Provident Financial Services, the glitzy bash will take place at the Bradford Hotel on Thursday February 25 and will be hosted by leading sports broadcaster Tanya Arnold.

Eighteen awards, across five categories, will recognise the outstanding achievements of teams, individuals and volunteers at every level of sport in the city.

Yorkshire and England wicketkeeper batsman Jonny Bairstow is joined by team-mate Adil Rashid in the Sportsman category following their outstanding years for county and country, alongside former Bradford Bulls rugby league star John Bateman.

Bulls and Bradford City are the finalists in the Professional Club/Team category, while the Sporting Highlight section boasts City's stunning FA Cup Fourth Round triumph over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge along with the Aegon Ilkley Trophy and the first Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament.

Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy has been recognised for their incredible production line of talent.

Academy students Jade Ashmore (European Youth bronze medallist and British champion), Muhammad ‘Mo’ Ali (World Youth silver medallist, Olympic Youth bronze medallist and European Youth gold medallist) and Mohammed Harris Akbar (Commonwealth Youth gold medallist and national champion) have also all been shortlisted to demonstrate the sheer depth of talent at the academy.

Bradford’s Special Olympics stars are joined by Coral Batey, the only female member of the Great Britain squad to win the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship, in the Disability Sportsperson category.

Meanwhile, the Young Achievers category includes some of the most talented young athletes in the country, with national, Commonwealth and European Champions represented.

Schools, community clubs, volunteers and coaches who help get people active across the district have also been shortlisted.

Nominations remain open for two categories – Young Disability Sportsperson and the Provident Good Neighbour Award. Nominations can be made online at www.activebradford.com/bsa.

Chair of Active Bradford Wayne Jacobs said: “Whilst it comes as no surprise to me that our finalists contain such a vibrant mix of achievers, the quality and depth of sporting talent in Bradford really is quite astounding.”

“These Awards were created as a means of recognising the achievements and outstanding contributions of the sporting community of Bradford, and the announcement of the finalists provides a real reflection of the talent nurtured by this city.”

Full list of finalists –

SENIOR ACHIEVERS (OVER 18)

Sportsman: Adil Rashid, John Bateman, Jonathan Bairstow

Sportswoman: Jessie Slater, Michelle Smith

Disability Sportsperson: Chris Woodhead, Coral Batey, Helen Burton, James Crossley

Club/Team – Non-Professional: Bumble Bees Barbarians, Horizon Taekwondo Academy

Club/Team – Professional: Bradford Bulls RLFC, Bradford City FC

YOUNG ACHIEVERS (UNDER 18)

Young Male Sportsperson: Mohammed Harris Akbar, Thomas Henley

Young Female Sportsperson: Holly Waxman, Leah Moorby, Rebekah Tiler, Rhea Southcott

Young Disability Sportsperson: You can still nominate online now

Young Club/Team: Bradford Bulldogs Ice Hockey Club, Great Horton Church Cricket Club

ACTIVE ACHIEVERS

Active Organisation/Workplace: JCT600

Active School: Haworth Primary School, Southfield School

Student Sport – Sportsperson: Jade Ashmore, Muhammad ‘Mo’ Ali

Student Sport – Club/Team: Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy, University of Bradford Volleyball Club, Woodhouse Grove Rugby Union

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

Coach: Mumtaz Khan, Shiv Krishan

Volunteer: Dr Mark Purvis, Pete Softley

Sporting Highlight: Aegon Ilkley Trophy, Bradford City v Chelsea (FA Cup Fourth Round), Mixed Ability Rugby World Tournament

Special Recognition: Bradford Bulls Foundation, Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure

MAIN SPONSOR AWARD

Provident Good Neighbour Award: You can still nominate online now!