We're proud to introduce the People’s Choice Award – a brand new category for 2025 that puts the spotlight in your hands. From a shortlist of 27 incredible finalists across the county, you can vote for your top three favourites and help us celebrate those making a real difference through sport and physical activity.

Each year, our awards honour the individuals, clubs, schools, and organisations going above and beyond to, support others, create opportunities to get active and build healthier communities. This year’s finalists include passionate volunteers, inclusive clubs, inspiring individuals, and standout providers - all using the power of sport and movement to change lives.

The finalist with the most votes will be crowned the People’s Choice Winner at our celebration event on Thursday 6 November at the Engine Shed, Lincoln.

Voting is open until Friday 31 October – don’t miss the chance to have your say!

Follow the link to vote below and help us shine a light on Lincolnshire’s sporting heroes. To help you make your choice, we've put together a short summary of all the finalists and their achievements below.

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Follow this link to vote.

Our Finalists

Active Achievement

Danielle Booth
Danelle has been recognised for her achievements as a player with Lincoln’s Down Syndrome Active team and as a Special Olympics athlete; She has also completed the GB Athlete Leader course. Alongside team sports, Danielle sets herself personal challenges each year, completing 10Ks, half-marathons and a full marathon with her dad, Steve. She has also organised and taken part in long-distance charity walks.

Mike Evans
This year Mike represented Team UK at the 2025 Winter Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, competing in biathlon, skeleton, indoor rowing, and wheelchair basketball. He volunteers extensively, delivering talks to RAF personnel, schools, scout groups, and representing the Royal British Legion to promote disability sport and recovery. Through his journey, Mike supports and encourages others with disabilities to achieve their personal best.

Leah Howard
From a young age Leah has struggled with social interaction and anxiety due to her autism. Through participation in football she has begun to overcome these challenges, growing in confidence and achieving great success. Her achievements include competing in an international tournament in France with her Louth team, qualifying as a referee this year, supporting others as a volunteer coach, and completing 30 hours of volunteer coaching alongside professional coaches at Lincoln City. She has also supported the Louth Under-5s team, helping the next generation of players develop their skills.

Active Change Award

Caron Grove
Caron has transformed her health, fitness and mental wellbeing following two mini-strokes, and inspiring and encouraging others at the gym to take charge of their own health.

John Paul Grayson
John Paul has overcome health challenges, including PTSD, depression and diabetes, to improve his mental health and physical wellbeing through regular gym and swimming sessions, inspiring others to be more active along the way.

Karen Hills
Karen has improved her health through physical activity, progressing from attending Aquacise classes to preparing for powerlifting qualifiers, and supporting others by qualifying as a Gentle Aquacise instructor.

Active Club

North Hykeham Tae Kwon Do Club (NHTKD)
A welcoming club for all ages and abilities based in One NK. This year the club has created an inclusive, welcoming space for older adults through the creation of dedicated ‘Senior’ sessions. With members ranging in age from their 50s to their 80s, the sessions provide tailored training alongside social opportunities, enhancing both physical and emotional wellbeing. The club breaks down barriers, easing fears around joining new activities.

Sleaford Snails Walking Football Club
This not-for-profit, inclusive club for adults aged 55+, promotes fun, fitness, and friendship through walking football. The club welcomes over 70 players weekly, the and provides a supportive space for older adults - many managing health conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, cancer, and arthritis - to stay active and socially connected.

Slea Paddlers and Canoe and Kayak Club
Slea Paddlers is an inclusive, community-led canoe, kayak, and paddleboard club, offering people of all ages and abilities the chance to access water sports. The club provides a supportive space where members can build confidence and develop paddling skills at their own pace. Members also support their local environment through initiatives such as river clean-ups.

Active Youth Champion

Jessica Mortimer
Jessica, 'Miss Jess' to her pupils, runs Jessica Leigh Dance Studios in Lincoln, creating a nurturing, inclusive and inspiring environment for children aged 18 months to 18 years. At her studio, every child is celebrated, supported and encouraged to thrive - regardless of ability, background or needs.

Juan Diaz
Juan Diaz is the driving force behind Burgh Town FC’s U11s team, dedicating countless volunteer hours alongside his full-time job as a secondary school teacher. Juan creates a positive, supportive environment where every child is valued, regardless of ability.

Terry Plumb
Terry, a qualified PE teacher at Priory Ruskin Academy and School Games Organiser for South West Lincolnshire retired this year in July, after a 40-year career dedicated to school sport. Terry has positively impacted thousands of young people by organising inclusive and diverse sporting opportunities across primary, secondary, and special schools. He also championed youth leadership, training over 400 secondary students as Sports Leaders.

Impact on Health Award

Apricity Yoga
Apricity Yoga transforms lives through inclusive, adaptive yoga and breathwork that supports health and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Girls that Hike
Girls that Hike is an inspiring grassroots initiative that has already made a remarkable difference to women’s mental and physical health. For creating a safe and inclusive walking community for women of all ages, improving the mental and physical health of participants.

Better 2Gether Project - Tonic Health
The Better 2Gether project supports adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through inclusive physical activity, social connection, and wellbeing support. Based in Holbeach, it addresses social isolation, poor physical health, and mental wellbeing challenges faced by often overlooked adults.

Inclusion and Diversity Award

Boston Tennis Club
Passionate about making tennis inclusive for all ages and abilities, over the past year, the club has expanded their programme to welcome more members of the community with disabilities and additional needs. Highlights include hosting a Disability Tennis Festival and growing weekly visually impaired tennis sessions.

Joe Ashton
In his role as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner with NHS Lincolnshire Talking Therapies, Joe has made a remarkable difference supporting under-served groups in coastal communities. He established weekly football sessions providing a safe space to build trust, reduce isolation, and encourage physical activity.

Lincoln Invictus FC
This inclusive, volunteer-run, not-for-profit football club is committed to making football accessible for all. The club offer PAN-Disability, Deaf & Hearing-Impaired, and Walking Football for all ages and abilities. As a pilot club for the FA Comets Programme, they support children with complex disabilities.

Outstanding Service to Sport & Physical Activity

Angel Sweet
Angel has been recognised for opening a successful 24 hour gym in Mablethorpe at the age 22. Old School Gym offers a welcoming and supportive community of members.

Bailey Greetham-Clark - Be Great Fitness
Bailey founded Be Great Fitness as a teenager during the pandemic. Be Great Fitness offers free movement sessions in care homes, schools, and communities, and an online platform making exercise accessible to care homes.

Lincoln Christer
Lincoln is lead coach and Club Secretary at Lincoln Invictus Inclusive Football Club dedicating his time to creating an inclusive football environment for players of all abilities.

Positive Experiences for children and young people award

Lincolnshire Cricket
Has been recognised for this award for their inclusive approach to making cricket accessible to, and enjoyable for, child and young people across the county, regardless of ability or background.

Mind, Body and Spirit Programme - YMCA Lincolnshire
YMCA's programme for children and young people provides inclusive, engaging physical activity in schools and at YMCA’s Showroom facility, introducing participants to new sports and experiences.

Teen Strong - CR Fitness
The Teen Strong fitness programme develops strength, confidence, and resilience in teenagers of all backgrounds, including those with social, emotional, or behavioural challenges.

Unsung Hero Award

Ben Ambrose
Ben Ambrose has volunteered for nearly a decade with Gainsborough Dolphins Swimming Club - currently taking on the role of coach and club leader - and creating a positive environment where swimmers of all abilities can thrive.

Fred Morris
Fred Morris has given decades of service Spalding Hockey Club where he has championed inclusive sessions, encouraged young empires, developed Primary school hockey tournaments, and introduced walking hockey.

Tanya Knight
Tanya Knight volunteers as Run Director and Event Director at Boston parkrun. She has been the driving forces behind launching a parkrun at North Sea Camp Prison, and led on establishing Boston’s Junior parkrun.

You can find more detailed descriptions of all our finalists here.