Far less sport and physical activity would happen in Cornwall without dedicated and inspirational volunteers giving their time each week, and now is the time to nominate them for the 2017 Cornwall Sports Awards.

The closing date for nominations has been extended to Friday, September 15, giving the public an extra seven days to reward and recognise someone who has gone above and beyond for their club.

Cornwall Sports Partnership wants this year’s awards to focus on people and projects within local communities who are inspiring others to be physically active.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of local communities and are vital in helping the partnership achieve its goal of 50,000 people more active by 2020.

Natasha Howard from the Cornwall Sports Partnership said: “Although we have received some great nominations, we have extended the closing date slightly so others don’t miss out. This is a great opportunity to say thank you to a volunteer or an organisation that will really appreciate you taking the time to nominate them.”

In 2016, Saints Netball Club from Truro won the Junior Club of the Year award at the ceremony at The Headland Hotel in Newquay.

The club has more than 100 members and caters for all abilities, with all juniors and their parents encouraged to volunteer, and 14 girls attended an umpiring course while further six worked alongside senior coaches supporting junior sessions.

The club has strong links with local primary schools, hosting taster sessions in the summer, and continues to fundraise for a member who had a serious accident a few years ago.

Jean Davies from Saints Netball Club said: “Winning the award was a very humbling experience when you hear about all the work being done with a whole range of sports people in Cornwall.

“For us it's recognition of our hard working volunteers, the talented and not so talented players and all the parents who support the club.”

Nominations are open online at cornwallsportspartnership.co.uk and further information is available from Natasha Howard on nhoward@cornwall.gov.uk or 01872 323347.