Search Is On For New TASS Stars 

Are you or do you know an aspirational and inspirational athlete who’s made their mark on or off the field during the last 12 months? Are you or have you spotted a rising star hitting the headlines and reaching their potential in spite of multiple lockdowns and an uncertain future? Maybe you’ve worked with a dedicated dual career talent who deserves recognition for his or her unwavering commitment and determination.

It’s that time of the year when we reach out to the TASS community and ask YOU to nominate the best of the best from across the country.

We’re looking to celebrate the achievements of our rising stars across five categories.

And with the Commonwealth Games — where scores of current and former TASS athletes will be going for gold — approaching fast there’s never been a better time to shine the spotlight on our dual career standard bearers.

The TASS Stars awards were launched in 2017 with track and field star Naomi Ogbeta lifting the inaugural prize for Most Inspirational Athlete.

The multiple British triple jump title winner and national number one went on to join the TASS Stars judging panel in 2021 and admitted: “All of the nominees showed so much strength and determination and should be so proud of themselves.”

The 2021 winners emerged from more than 12 months of pandemic-affected challenges in buoyant mood with para powerlifting’s Tom Smith claiming the prestigious Athlete Of The Year prize.

Middle distance runner Harriet Knowles-Jones (Most Determined), para football star Liam Spinks (Most Inspirational), diver Sephora Ford (Most Committed) and sailing’s Freya Black (Most Potential) completed last year’s winning line-up.

And Guy Taylor, National Director, TASS, said: “It’s time to focus on another 12 months of success, resolve, focus and leading the way in the dual career field.

“The TASS Stars awards provide a welcome opportunity to celebrate the positivity at the heart of sport and recognise those going the extra mile in terms of pursuing their dreams and setting an example to others.”

We are looking to recognise athletes within the following five categories:

Most Determined – Awarded to a TASS athlete who has overcome challenges or demonstrated resilience in order to pursue their sport and/or study.

Most Inspirational – Awarded to a TASS athlete who possesses infectious enthusiasm and a positive attitude, has shown creativity in their sport and/or study, and/or has demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship.

Most Committed – Awarded to a TASS athlete who has shown dedication to both study and sport, including excellent time management and efficiency in balancing demands.

Most Potential – Awarded to a TASS athlete who is deemed to be a “one to watch” in the future in either their sport and/or study.

Athlete of the Year – Awarded to a TASS athlete as recognition of their outstanding achievement this year in their sport and/or study.

Nominations are welcome from NGB leads, Delivery Site leads, TASS practitioners, coaches, parents/guardians, friends, teammates and others. Athletes may also nominate themselves .

This year, we are excited to announce that shortlisted athletes will be invited to attend a special awards ceremony lunch in Birmingham during the Commonwealth Games – where the winners will be announced!

If you would like to nominate a TASS athlete, please CLICK HERE and you will be directed to Typeform, where you will be asked to submit your nomination.

Please see below for all Terms and Conditions and please note that nominations will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 22nd June 2022.

 

Banner says TASS Stars Awards 2022
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  1. Nominees must be in receipt of TASS support in the 2021/22 TASS year.
  2. Nominations will not be accepted from or in respect of athletes who have been removed from the scheme on the grounds of non-engagement and/or misconduct.
  3. Nominations open on Wednesday 8th June 2022 and close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 22nd June 2022.
  4. Nominations must be made online using the designated online form.
  5. Nominations via email, social media or any other channel will not be accepted.
  6. Nominations require a supporting statement of no more than 1000 characters each within one of the five categories: Most Inspirational, Most Determined, Most Committed, Most Potential, Athlete of the Year.
  7. Each athlete can be nominated in up to two categories (only).
  8. Where an athlete is nominated for two categories, two different supporting statements will be required but these can be submitted via the same online nomination form.
  9. Nominations can be made by a TASS athlete themselves or any member of the athlete’s entourage, including but not limited to: a peer, teammate, family member, coach, TASS Delivery Site Lead, other TASS practitioner or NGB Lead.
  10. Where any individual other than the TASS athlete makes a nomination, that individual must inform the intended nominee of these TASS Star Awards Terms and Conditions and obtain the athlete’s permission to nominate them prior to doing so (the nomination may be withdrawn by notifying TASS at any time).
  11. Athletes can be nominated by more than one person; however, the number of nominations received for any one athlete shall not affect the outcome in isolation. Winners shall be selected on the basis of evidence showing how an athlete demonstrates the relevant category criteria.
  12. Up to fifteen finalists (up to three per category) will be shortlisted by TASS after the nominations closing date and such individuals will be notified on or soon after 1st July 2022.
  13. A mixed judging panel shall meet to decide the winner in each category from the list of finalists and their decision shall be final. In the event of a tie, the TASS National Director shall have the casting vote with regards those tied.
  14. Should a nominee or finalist wish to have their entry withdrawn, they may do so at any time by notifying TASS directly via info@tass.gov.uk. We would politely request that any such withdrawal be made at the earliest opportunity (and preferably no later than 15th July 2022) to help with trophy/awards event logistics.
  15. Subject to operational restrictions or limitations, all finalists shall be invited to attend an awards ceremony lunch in Birmingham on 4th August 2022, where the winner of each category shall be first announced. Each finalist may be accompanied by one guest each.
  16. Where a finalist is aged under eighteen, a trusted adult aged eighteen or over is required to accompany the athlete to attend the awards event OR the athlete’s parent/guardian may provide consent for the athlete to travel/attend unaccompanied or with a friend/peer.
  17. It is not mandatory for finalists to attend the awards event, Attendance/non-attendance shall have no effect on the outcome of the Stars Awards results and winners.
  18. TASS will cover the reasonable travel expenses of each finalist to attend the awards event in Birmingham but not the travel or other expenses of their accompanying guest (unless they are in a care/support capacity or as a parent/guardian of an athlete aged under eighteen).
  19. Five winners (one per category) will receive a TASS Stars Awards trophy. Prize is as described, not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
  20. All finalists will be asked if they wish to participate in publicity. This is likely to be a short email/telephone interview and/or photographic/film content featuring finalists from the awards event, which will appear on the TASS website and on TASS social media. We may also request a photograph of each winner with their award, to be used in line with TASS’s Athlete Privacy Notice.