Meet Our 2023 Judges

The finalist and winners of the Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards are selected by an independent judging panel made up of experts from various sectors who are involved in some way in the delivery or promotion sport and physical activity. Panel members go through the shortlisted nominations and choose the finalists for each award and ultimately pick the award winners.

We'd like to thank all this year's judges for giving up their time to help us select the deserving winners of the 2023 Award.

This year our judges are:

Jacqui Bunce
Programme Director – Strategic Estates, Partnerships & Planning, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board

Blake Coghill
2022 Award Finalist & Founder of Lincolnshire Lancers (a Gay & Inclusive Rugby Club)

Lincoln Christer
2022 Award Winner with Lincoln Invictus Football Club (A PAN Disability, Deaf and Hearing Impaired and Walking Football Club)

Chris Duncan
2022 Award Winner & Regional Community Wellbeing Manager at Everyone Active

Cheddi Gore
East Midlands Regional Manager, Sported

Paul Gutherson
Managing Director, Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team [LVET]

Zara McArdle
Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Lincolnshire Police

Lydia Rusling
Assistant Director for Economic Growth, South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership

Jo Richardson
Representing Active Lincolnshire’s Board & Associate Director at Wright Vigar

Matt Spoors
Head of Service for School Standards, Lincolnshire County Council

Hear from our judges

Our judges this year were incredibly impressed by the inspirational work and moving personal stories that were revealed in this year's nominations. Take a look at some feedback from some members of our judging panel, which reveals just how difficult it was for them to select three finalists for each award category.

SO much fantastic and inspiring work going on to encourage people to be more active. Any individual or organisation that was nominated, never mind being shortlisted or ending up in the final three for each category is worthy of recognition for the amazing work that they do. This is equally true of those organisations just starting out as for those who have been working away for 10, 15 or 20 years and for those who focus closely on a very specific group of people compared to those working countywide with a broader range of people.

Paul Gutherson, LVET

The submissions we reviewed as judges were truly exceptional and it was incredibly positive to read about the commitment and dedication of individuals to their sports. But we were also left in awe of the sheer amount of personal time, devotion and effort people in Lincolnshire take in volunteering to support the opportunities of others to keep active. There were also submissions from wonderful people in Lincolnshire who were actively making their sports, activities and clubs accessible for all, including for those who require additional supportive adjustments to enable them to take part. The extensive reach such amazing people have in Lincolnshire cannot be underestimated and you are bringing people together to live healthy and happy lives.

Zara McArdle, Lincolnshire Police

I have been delighted and honoured to be asked to be a judge for the 2023 Active Lincolnshire Awards for a second year. The breadth of nominations was amazing and it has been really great to see the number of schemes and the range of ways people across Lincolnshire are being encouraged to be active, which is so important for health and wellbeing. Judging has been really challenging as all of the nominations are winners in their own way.

Jacqui Bunce, NHS ICB