Some of the biggest stars from the world of sport will make up the judging panel for the first ever Kirklees Community Sports Awards.

The judging panel will boast international sports stars, ex-players and sports journalists, all with a link to Kirklees.

Yorkshire Cricket Captain Andy Gale, Town legend Andy Booth, Examiner Sports Editor Mel Booth, Giants Prop Eorl Crabtree and England Rugby Union Centre Luther Burrell will make up the judging panel – with a further big name to be announced in the next few weeks to chair the judging panel.

The awards, promoted by the Huddersfield Examiner and in association with Huddersfield Town, will focus on acknowledging and rewarding those who take part within Kirklees sport, with a number of award categories which sports clubs, teams and individuals can enter.

Andy Booth said: “I’m really looking forward to the Kirklees Community Sports Awards. It is a great opportunity for clubs and individuals to be recognised and I’m honoured to have been chosen to be part of the panel who will look through the entries. I’d encourage all of our local clubs, societies and sporting individuals to enter.”

Andy Gale added: “I’m delighted to be asked to be part of the panel for the Kirklees Community Sports Awards. I’m aware of some of the excellent set ups within sport in Kirklees and am really keen to see what wonderful stories will be uncovered through the awards.”

How to enter:

Entries should ideally be no longer than 400 words and sent to:

Kirklees Community Sports Awards, C/O Huddersfield Town AFC, The John Smith’s Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX.

For any more information phone 01484 484183. Entries can also now be accepted via e-mail at a special e-mail address kirsportsawards@htafc.com

Entries should ideally be no longer than 400 words and the deadline is August 31.

The panel will oversee the 10 categories including:

1. Kirklees Sports Legend

This is a person who has taken sport locally to an exceptional level and has inspired many others to achieve similar levels of excellence.

2. Sports Personality of the Year (amateur/open age)

The winner will be a sportsman or woman who has made a name for themselves

3. Young Sports Personality

A person aged 18 or under who has excelled at their chosen sport. They will be inspirational to other young people.

4. Sports Team of the Year

The team could be from any sport and don’t forget that school teams are also eligible for this category. They will be proven winners or have overcome great odds to reach a high level.

5. Sports Official

Sports clubs throughout Kirklees rely on unsung heroes and heroines to keep going. They may hold specific roles such as treasurer or secretary or hold several tasks and are the ‘backbone’ of their sports organisations.

6. Sports Club

This category is open to clubs who have become real community hubs.

7. Sports Teacher

Everyone remembers an inspirational teacher and there are countless across Kirklees who do so much above and beyond their jobs to make sure their pupils have every chance to take part in sport.

8. Outstanding Services to Sport

The winner will be someone who has gone well above what is expected to make their sport or sports club an outstanding success.

9. Most Improved club/team

Everyone likes a ‘rag to riches’ story and we want to hear about a team that has turned itself around. It may have lost every game but never lost faith and then started to win.

10. Disabled Athlete of the Year

In recent years the Paralympics have highlighted the amazing levels disabled athletes can now attain and there are many people with physical or learning disabilities throughout Kirklees who are excelling at sport. We want to hear about them.