Sussex Sport Award nominees are pride of Chichester

Two individuals, one team and one company have been shortlisted for different prizes at the ceremony next month.

Graham Jessop and Allan Lambourne have been put forward for outstanding-contribution and coach-of-the-year awards respectively.

West Wittering Cricket Club are in the running to be crowned club of the year, while publishing firm Wiley could win the healthy workplace award.

The ceremony, to be held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton on Friday, November 21, will have former freestyle and butterfly swimmer Mark Foster as its guest of honor and be hosted again by BBC Sussex DJ Danny Pike.

Graham Jessop is shortlisted for an outstanding contribution to sport award.

Representing England Athletics and the English Road Running Association, he has been labelled Chichester’s Mr Athletics.

He has been involved in athletics for almost 60 years.

At school and university he concentrated on hurdling, steeple-chasing, milling and cross country. Subsequently, he became an endurance athlete and completed some 35 road marathons as well as numerous multi-terrain events and shorter road distances.

For more than 25 years, Jessop has been a coach, race organiser, technical race official and sports administrator. He was also a London 2012 official in charge of 18 Games Makers.

Shortlisted for the Inspire Leisure coach-of-the-year award is Allan Lambourne of Selsey Seals FC.

He has been involved with Selsey as a player and, for the past seven years, as a coach with one of the under-11 teams.

Lauded for his coaching style and positive attitude, his enthusiasm has led to many of the new helpers taking the ‘1st4Sport’ FA level-one coaching award, which in turn has led to the continued popularity of the under-11 age group at the club.

Lambourne has also been named the FA Community award coach of the year for Sussex, the south-east region and, following a weekend of coaching activities at St George’s Park, the national award by the FA.

West Wittering Cricket Club are shortlisted for the Grand Hotel club of the year award, the only category to go to the public vote - see this page for your chance to vote.

ECB Club-marked West Wittering demonstrate a fully-inclusive club with a thriving junior section and successful senior teams.

In the 2014 season, both the first and second XI gained promotion in the West Sussex Invitation League.

The first XI went up as divisional champions for the third season in a row – their fourth promotion on the bounce. The second XI enjoyed their second promotion in as many seasons.

Meanwhile, Wiley have been shortlisted for the Bartercard Workplace Health Award. As a company, they support and participate in the health and wellbeing of employees with three key committees: sports and social, small donations and the employee representation committees. They also have compensation and benefit teams, who play an integral part with health and wellbeing initiatives.

Wiley, who have a major base in Chichester, have been working actively with the Chichester and Arun Wellbeing workplace health advisors.

Sadie Mason, Active Sussex chief executive, said: “Chichester-area clubs and individuals have often featured prominently on Sussex Sports Awards shortlists.

“I’d like to congratulate all of those who have been shortlisted and wish all nominees the best of luck ahead of what promises to be another memorable Sussex Sports Awards.”

You can book tickets and be entered into a prize draw to win luxury accommodation at the Grand Hotel for the night of the awards. Tickets cost £40 but are subsidised for community sports groups and schools. Buy online at www.ssa14.eventbrite.co.uk