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Energize Awards 2016: YOUR chance to choose Shropshire's sporting champion

Paralympic champions, an inspirational rugby football team and a tennis ace – Shropshire's wealth of sporting talent will go head-to-head for votes in a top award.

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This year's annual community sports awards, The Energize Awards, will look to Shropshire Star readers for their votes in the Sports Performance of the Year category.

This award, sponsored by Telford College of Arts and Technology, recognises a person or team – either able bodied or disabled – who has excelled in their sport and is a positive role model to others.

A total of 10 finalists are now vying for support, including British Army captain turned canoeing paralympian Nick Beighton, from Shrewsbury.

Fellow Paralympic medallist archer John Walker is also up for the award, having returned home from Rio with two gold medals.

Scroll down to see the full shortlist and online entry form

Telford's International Centre will host the glittering finals night on November 3, when the winner will be revealed after votes cut the list 10 finalists to a shortlist of three.

Chris Child, chief executive of Energize, said: "The awards have become firmly established over the past decade as the Oscars of community sport in our area, and have grown steadily every year. Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are home to a number of very talented sports people who deserve recognition for their achievements.

"However, there is also excellent work happening behind the scenes to help people to be more active, regardless of their background or ability, and the Energize Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank the people who are contributing to this as well."

Other finalists for the award include Sir John Bayley team, who won the Flowfit Shropshire Premier Bowls League for the first time and Bridgnorth Rugby Football Club which won promotion and are now the top team in Shropshire. Also from Bridgnorth is cricket batsman James Ralph, who became the 13th player to play 100 Minor Counties Championship games for Shropshire. Meanwhile, cricketer Joe Clarke joins the nominees along with tennis star Holly Mowling and mountain biker Rachel Atherton. Ellesmere's Oliver Townend is in the list for his work horse riding, alongside Telford athlete Claire Martin.

The short list of the best sports performances was drawn up by a panel from the Shropshire Star and Energize, and readers are now urged to vote for their champion through the Shropshire Star website, creating the final three.

The winner will be announced at the Energize Awards ceremony on November 3, where Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards is the guest speaker. One of the organisers, Tamsin Foster, said: "We're delighted to have secured Eddie Edwards as our guest of honour – grassroots sports people across Shropshire will relate to his never-say-die attitude."

Sports Performance of the Year nominees - voting form below - voting closes on September 25

James Ralph: The Bridgnorth cricketer became the 13th player to play 100 Minor Counties Championship games.
Bridgnorth Rugby Football Club: The club won promotion and are now the top team in Shropshire, playing at their highest level.
Claire Martin: The Telford athlete was the women's winner in the Sexarathon Series, a series of midweek races, for the 11th time
Oliver Townend: The Ellesmere sportsman became the first Brit to top the Event Rider Masters podium.
Nick Beighton: The former army captain, who lost both legs in Afghanistan, won a Paralympic bronze medal.
Joe Clarke: The cricketer has passed 1,000 First Class runs in his first full season with Worcestershire.
Sir John Bayley squad: The team won the Flowfit Shropshire Premier Bowls League for the first time this year.
Holly Mowling: The tennis ace has won several national over-35s titles.
John Walker: The archer won two gold medals at the Paralympics this year in Rio.
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