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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 2011, launched today in Scotland.

Across the UK people are invited to nominate someone who has made a difference to their community through sport.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero is one of the categories at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality of the Year, which will be held at MediaCityUK in Salford on 22 December. The Unsung Hero Award recognises and rewards outstanding contribution by individuals at the grassroots level of local sport and is now in its ninth year.

A winner is chosen in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and in each ´óÏó´«Ã½ English Region. Each winner then gets the chance to join the sporting stars of today at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality of the Year 2011 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 deserve 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 nations' and regional sports staff, local sporting figures and other independent community figures, with a winner being picked by that judging panel.

Last year's overall winner for Scotland was Tom McGuinness of Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club in Glasgow. He was nominated by the club for the outstanding contribution he makes to coaching and organising.

The club has a programme aimed at encouraging older recruits to take up rowing and Tom's energy and enthusiasm helped develop the programme from half a dozen crews to a record 20 crews. He also focussed his attention on junior and school rowing, coaching young people in the basic skills of rowing and safety until they could move on to competitive rowing.

Barbara Slater, Director of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport, says: "The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is delighted to recognise the important, and often unheralded, work of those whose selfless efforts so often shape the sporting success and enjoyment of so many different individuals and teams.

"The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero awards are important because they celebrate the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of people up and down the country who give something back to their community through sport."

Nominations for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero Award 2011 can be made at using a printable form.

There is also a low-cost phone number people can call to request nomination forms – 0845 308 8000. Calls cost up to 5p/min from most landlines (an additional connection fee may also apply). Calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.

Further details are also available from ´óÏó´«Ã½ national and regional centres and ´óÏó´«Ã½ local radio stations. Nominations can be made up until midnight on Sunday 30 October.

Social media is also playing a greater role in this year's ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Unsung Hero campaign. A dedicated has been created and information and updates will also be posted on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality of the Year Twitter feed: .

´óÏó´«Ã½ Sports Personality of the Year 2011 will be broadcast live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One and ´óÏó´«Ã½ One HD on 22 December.

Notes to Editors

Nominations are made via a form obtainable from bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero can be requested by calling 0845 308 8000 or picked up from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio and Regional TV centres. Calls cost up to 5p/min from most landlines (an additional connection fee may also apply). Calls from mobiles may cost considerably more.

People are asked to detail the number of years a nominee has been involved in the 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 the person's involvement has meant to their local community.

Full terms and conditions are available at bbc.co.uk/sportsunsunghero

JG2