1. Purpose
The Atherstone Adders Hockey Club Sports Awards recognise members who have made an outstanding contribution to the Club, whether through playing, leadership, coaching, volunteering, administration, or supporting the Club and its members.
The awards are intended to recognise exceptional commitment, achievement, loyalty and service to Atherstone Adders Hockey Club.
There are three levels of award:

1. 1Honorary Life Membership
2. Club Sporting Colours
3. Club Half Colours

Awards are considered annually and are not an automatic entitlement.

2. Eligibility
Unless otherwise stated, nominees must be fully paid-up members of Atherstone Adders Hockey Club at the time of nomination.
Awards may recognise contributions made across one or more areas of Club life, including:

• Playing
• Coaching
• Team management
• Volunteering
• Administration
• Leadership
• Junior development
• Fundraising
• Supporting Club activities and events
• Promoting the values and reputation of the Club

The judging panel may consider the nominee's overall contribution rather than applying individual criteria as a checklist.

3. Honorary Life Membership
Honorary Life Membership is the highest honour that Atherstone Adders Hockey Club can bestow on an individual.
It recognises an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Club over a significant period of time. The award may be made to a current or former member whose contribution has gone significantly beyond what would normally be expected.
Consideration may be given to:

• Long-term loyalty and commitment to the Club
• Significant playing contribution
• Outstanding coaching or team management
• Service as a Club officer or committee member
• Exceptional voluntary service
• Contribution to the development of the Club or its members
• Leadership and positive influence within the Club
• Supporting the Club's values and reputation over a sustained period

Length of service will be considered, but there is no automatic entitlement based solely on the number of years a person has been a member.
Award
An Honorary Life Member will receive:

• Formal recognition at the Club's annual Presentation Evening
• Recognition on the Club's Honours Board
• Recognition on the Club website
• Honorary Life Membership of Atherstone Adders Hockey Club

4. Club Sporting Colours
Club Sporting Colours recognise a member who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to Atherstone Adders Hockey Club.
The award may recognise exceptional contribution as a player, coach, manager, volunteer, administrator or leader.
Consideration may be given to:

• Outstanding commitment and loyalty to the Club
• Significant contribution to Club activities
• Consistent playing commitment
• Leadership and positive influence
• Supporting and encouraging fellow members
• Exceptional teamwork
• Dedication and determination
• Being a positive role model
• Consistently demonstrating a positive attitude towards the Club, training and competition
• Making a contribution that is above and beyond normal expectations

Sporting Colours are intended to be a significant Club honour and should therefore only be awarded where the nominee has demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment or contribution.
Award
A recipient of Club Sporting Colours will receive:

• A commemorative Sporting Colours badge
• A certificate
• Recognition on the Club's Honours Board
• Recognition on the Club website

5. Club Half Colours
Club Half Colours recognise an outstanding contribution by a junior member aged 17 or under.
The award is intended to recognise young members who demonstrate exceptional commitment, leadership, sporting attitude or contribution to the Club.
Consideration may be given to:

• Outstanding commitment to the Club
• Exceptional contribution as a junior member
• Leadership or captaincy
• Supporting and encouraging other players
• Positive attitude and behaviour
• Dedication to training and matches
• Teamwork and sportsmanship
• Being a positive role model
• Demonstrating responsibility and maturity
• Making a contribution that is above and beyond normal expectations

Award
A recipient of Club Half Colours will receive:

• A commemorative Half Colours badge
• A certificate
• Recognition on the Club's Honours Board
• Recognition on the Club website

6. Nominations
Nominations may be made by any fully paid-up Club member.
Nominations should be submitted annually by email to:
clubcaptain@addershockey.com

The nomination should include:

• Name of the person making the nomination
• Email address
• Relationship to the nominee
• Name of the nominee
• Award being nominated for
• Reasons for the nomination
• Examples of the nominee's contribution, achievement or service

Nominations should provide sufficient information for the judging panel to understand why the nominee deserves the award.
A nomination does not guarantee that an award will be made.

7. Judging Panel
All nominations will be considered by a judging panel consisting of:

• Club Chairman
• Club Captain
• Club Secretary

The judging panel will consider each nomination fairly and consistently, taking into account the nominee's overall contribution and the criteria applicable to the relevant award.
The judging panel may request additional information where necessary.
The decision of the judging panel will be final.
The judging panel may decide that no award should be made in a particular category in any season if no nomination meets the required standard.

8. Presentation of Awards
Sports Awards will normally be presented annually at the Atherstone Adders Hockey Club End of Season Presentation Evening.
Recipients will also be recorded on the Club's Honours Board and, where appropriate, on the Club website.

9. Review of the Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Club Committee and may be amended where necessary to ensure that the Sports Awards remain appropriate, fair and relevant to the Club.
Policy: Sports Awards Policy 2026/27
Club: Atherstone Adders Hockey Club
Review: Annually