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The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is once again set to honour individuals from the world of grassroots sport with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero Award 2009, launched this week.

Across the UK everyone is invited to nominate people who have made a difference to their community through sport.

Now in its seventh year, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero Award recognises and rewards outstanding contribution by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport.

A winner is chosen in each ´óÏó´«Ã½ English Region and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each winner then gets the chance to join the sporting stars of today at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality Of The Year 2009 at the Sheffield Arena in December, where the overall ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero winner is announced.

Nominations should be made for people who go the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and who deserved to be recognised for their selfless work on the part of others.

Nominees should be people who, on a voluntary basis, prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach the juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed by people throughout the UK.

Once the nomination process has been completed, a shortlist of nominees in each area is chosen by a panel made up of ´óÏó´«Ã½ regional sports staff, local sporting figures and other independent community figures, with a winner being picked by that judging panel.

Barbara Slater, Director of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport, says: "Our annual ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero award recognises the amazing efforts of so many thousands of people throughout the UK who dedicate themselves to sport.

"They nurture grassroots sport, willingly give up their time for others without seeking any reward and, in many cases, are the inspiration behind our sporting champions."

Nominations for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero Award 2009 can be made at bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero using a printable form.

Nomination forms are also available from at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio stations and ´óÏó´«Ã½ regional centres.

Nominations can be made up until Friday 30 October 2009.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality Of The Year 2009, held for the first time at the Sheffield Arena, will be broadcast live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One at 7.00pm on Sunday 13 December.

Notes to Editors

• Nominations are made via a form obtainable from bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero
• People are asked to detail the numbers of years a nominee has been involved in that sport or organisation, the amount of time given each week, what they do, and how it has improved people's enjoyment of sport and life
• We also ask what being involved has meant to their local community

BG