Awards and Online Nominations

This is an award for an individual or group who have quite literally gone above and beyond in your community. This could be someone or a group of people at your Club or a fellow paddler who has gone significantly above and beyond expectations.

Recognising someone who has inspired others around them, whether that be through performance, adventure, adversity or other. They could have delivered an impactful project, helped improve opportunities for other members, developed new practice, delivered an outstanding performance, improved club coaching opportunities or created innovative opportunities.

Recognising an outstanding young person(s) who have contributed to their club or local group as a volunteer, coach or leader. A young person who is under 19 on 1st January 2024 who commits time and effort to the club, organisation or community throughout the year in one or more unpaid roles. Consider the young people who volunteer behind the scenes as well as those who have made the successful step on a coaching/leadership pathway.

Recognising an outstanding individual who has made a significant difference through coaching. The winner of this category will be the English nomination to the UK Geoff Good Award.

Recognising someone or a group of people who have made a difference in engaging paddlers and/or the wider paddling community. Whether it be working with a community group to introduce them to paddling or keeping members motivated and feeling part of the paddling community.

We’re looking for someone who has inspired and led others into taking action and protecting the places we all love to paddle. Perhaps they organised a Big Paddle Cleanup event, as part of the Clear Access, Clear Waters campaign removing junk and plastic pollution from their river. It could be that they campaign and spread the word about water pollution, holding the authorities to account. It could be someone who has inspired your club to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Or someone involved in removing Invasive Non-Native Species from our rivers, enabling people to explore them freely.

Criteria

• This award is open to all members of all National Associations (British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland).
• UK National Honours give recognition and reward to people who have devoted a large part of their lives to the service of others. They are awarded by the Queen (Such as MBE, OBE, CBE, BEM).
• They are there to recognise many areas of achievement including outstanding, meritorious and long serving commitment or outstanding sporting achievement within the sport of canoeing.

Nomination Process

• Nominations from the membership for British Canoeing to consider can be submitted at any point in the year and then held on file until the UK National Honours nomination window opens. British Canoeing will actively promote for nominations a couple of times each year.
• Nominations will be made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by British Canoeing, for those who have made a contribution to the sport in England or in a UK context. The Boards of the other National Associations may make nominations directly in a similar way.
• The NHAP will consider these nominations and make recommendations for consideration and approval by the Board.
• Clubs or individuals within the sport may also nominate directly to UK National Honours system without the involvement of British Canoeing.

Criteria

• This award is open to all members of all National Associations (British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland).
• The awarding of Vice President is the highest honour within British Canoeing and reserved for those who have made an exceptional lifetime commitment to the sport.
• It recognises those who have made the most unique contribution to the sport either as a participant, coach or administrator at National Association level, at UK level or at International level.
• This role is defined within the Articles and nominations have to be approved by the membership at an AGM. 
• Vice Presidents are invited to support the work of the President to be ambassadors for British Canoeing at championships, events and on formal occasions.

Nomination Process

• Nominations for the position of Vice Presidents need to be approved by the AGM of British Canoeing and requiring a 75% majority.
• It may be awarded to any participant, coach, official or administrator in the sport.
• Nominations can be made by the Board of any National Association, any club or committee within the organisational structure of British Canoeing and the National Associations.
• Nominations will be considered initially by the NHAP, who shall make recommendations for consideration and approval by the Board. The Board will in turn consider and approve the nominations to be presented to the AGM.
• Nominations will be invited annually in the final quarter of the year, with proposals being presented to the next AGM.

Criteria

• This award is open to all members of all National Associations (British Canoeing, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Wales, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland).
• This Award is reserved for recognition of outstanding service, commitment and major contribution to the sport over a number of years at national or international level. 
• It may be awarded to any participant, coach, official or administrator in the sport. 
• This Award is approved by the Board of British Canoeing.

Nomination Process

• Nominations can be made by the Board of any National Association, any club or committee within the organisational structure of British Canoeing and the National Associations.
• Nominations will be considered by the NHAP. Their nominations will then be considered for approval by the Board.
• Nominations will be invited at least annually by British Canoeing.

Criteria

• This Award is reserved for recognition of outstanding service, commitment and contribution to the sport over a number of years, at club, local, regional or national level within England.
• It may be awarded to any participant, coach, official or administrator in the sport. 
• This Award is approved by the Board of British Canoeing.

Nomination Process

• Nominations can be made by the Board of British Canoeing, any club or committee within the English organisational structure of British Canoeing.
• Nominations will be considered by the NHAP. Their recommendations will then be considered for approval by the Board.
• Nominations will be invited at least annually by British Canoeing.

Criteria

• This Award is reserved to recognise the gallantry of any individual who brings assistance to others within an aquatic situation. 
• This Award is approved by the Board of British Canoeing.

Nomination Process

• Nominations can be made by the Board of British Canoeing, any club or committee within the English organisational structure of British Canoeing.
• Nominations will be considered by the NHAP. Their recommendations will then be considered for approval by the Board.
• Nominations will be invited at least annually by British Canoeing, but may also be received and considered at any point during the year.