The prestigious awards recognise the outstanding dedication and achievements of individuals, organisations and projects across the city to promote sport and encourage local people to be more physically active.

Charity Glasgow Life, which delivers culture and sport to enhance physical and mental health and wellbeing in Glasgow, presents the annual accolades to honour awardees and the difference they make to benefit our communities.

In addition to celebrating the commitment, contribution and successes of local groups, sports clubs and schools – as well as individuals including volunteers, coaches and athletes – this year’s awards will celebrate Glasgow’s year as European Capital of Sport 2023.

The city is the first to hold the title twice, having been named European Capital of Sport for the first time in 2003. The honour recognises Glasgow’s status as a city globally renowned for sport and the host of world-class events at its outstanding venues – including the UCI Cycling World Championships held in Glasgow this summer as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, the first-ever European Championships in 2018 (as co-host), and UEFA EURO 2020.

As well as building an international reputation as a world-class sports destination for its remarkable record as a host city, Glasgow’s European Capital of Sport reign also recognises its successes in ensuring the legacy of major events – using them as a springboard to increase participation in sport across the city and change lives for the better.

Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 gala evening on Monday 27 November will showcase the highlights of this special year, and shine a spotlight on the role sport and physical activity will continue to play in the city’s future, and future events such as the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024.

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, said: 

I look forward to hosting this year’s awards event to recognise all those who do so much to promote sport in our communities, and celebrate Glasgow’s year as European Capital of Sport.

There are nine award categories, which span all types of sport and physical activity, from grassroots to professional levels.

You can get involved by nominating individuals and organisations that deserve recognition for all they do to benefit local communities and people through sport and physical activity.

The awards include: Glasgow Volunteer Award, Glasgow Community Impact Award, Glasgow Disabled Athlete Award, Glasgow Coach Award, Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award, and Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award. (Details of all categories are listed below.)

Nominations, which can be submitted by anyone over the age of 14, are straightforward to complete online at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sportawards2023. The deadline is midnight on Saturday 30 September.

The shortlisted nominees will be selected by an awards panel which includes people from Glasgow City Council Education Services, sportscotland, and other partners involved in sport, physical activity and wellbeing in Glasgow.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, said: 

Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 are an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding breadth and standard of sporting talent within the city, from grassroots to professional levels. They are important recognition of the extraordinary efforts of so many organisations and individuals in our communities to develop that talent.

From volunteer helpers at our schools and local club members to world-class coaches and elite athletes, each makes a hugely valued contribution to making sport such an integral part of life in Glasgow. The awards will celebrate all that they do to inspire and encourage active involvement in sport – making such a difference to health and wellbeing in the city, while enhancing its reputation as a destination renowned for sport.

I’d encourage everyone to support Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 and get nominations in as soon as possible for the local heroes who deserve special recognition.

Glasgow’s Sport Awards 2023 - categories and criteria

• Glasgow Lifetime Achievement Award - recognises someone who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, dedication and enthusiasm in their support of physical activity and/ or sport over a considerable period.
• Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Award - celebrates a personality from the world of sport who has given the most outstanding performance in 2023.
• Glasgow Community Impact Award - recognises and celebrates an organisation that uses physical activity or sport to make a difference within their community.
• Glasgow Volunteer Award - recognises a volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to physical activity or sport in their local community.
• Uniting Glasgow Award - celebrates an organisation or project that uses physical activity or sport to bring people and communities together in Glasgow.
• Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Award - recognises significant achievements in using physical activity or sport to positively impact upon the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals and groups involved.
• Glasgow Coach Award - recognises an individual who has shown an outstanding commitment to coaching and further development of athletes or teams within their sport.
• Glasgow Disabled Athlete Award - recognises a sportsperson, with a disability, who has shown outstanding commitment and performance.
• Glasgow Young Sportsperson of the Year Award - recognises a junior sportsperson aged 18 or under, who has given the most outstanding performance within their sport across the last year.

In addition, the following Glasgow’s Sport Awards – which are not open for public nominations – will be announced at the awards gala evening on Monday 27 November: 

• Glasgow Lord Provost Award - recognises an individual or organisation that has made a remarkable contribution to physical activity and sport in Glasgow in the past year.
• Supporting Young Glasgwegians Award - recognises initiatives in our schools that are having a significant impact on supporting young people to enjoy the benefits of physical activity and sport.

Glasgow's Sport Awards will also celebrate primary and secondary schools in Glasgow that have achieved sportscotland’s GOLD award for their commitment to physical activity, sport and wellbeing.