Sporting hero calls for more to be recognised

Damien Lindsay joined the Lord Mayor, Arder Carson, launching the Belfast Sports Awards 2016, which recognise the contribution volunteers, coaches and teachers make to the life of local sports clubs.

A community coach who set up west Belfast’s St James Swifts football team to provide young people with an alternative to hanging around the streets Damien was honoured SPOTY ceremony in December in the SSE Arena.

Winners of the Belfast Sports Awards will be announced at a gala dinner in the City Hall on March 18n attended by nominees and a host of local sports stars.

The Lord Mayor said: “Without volunteers like Damien many sports clubs would not survive. They willingly give up their time to coach and encourage young people to strive, to stretch themselves and in doing so they instil discipline, resolve, self-esteem, teamwork, and creative strategies that can help in other parts of life.

“In addition they boost the general health of participants and link them with their community because many sports clubs are local and provide young people with the chance to make friends.

“It is rare for people like Damien, who work behind the scene, to get the chance to shine, they are usually on the sidelines cheering, but without their dedication many stars would not have been able to shine.

“Everyone in a sports club knows one of these behind the scenes heroes – shine a light and give them their due by nominating them for the Belfast Sports Awards.”

Damien said: “It was a great honour to be crowned unsung hero at the BBC Sports Personality ceremony but very humbling as there are so many more coaches and volunteers out there doing the same as me.

“I like to think that the award reflects the contribution made by sports people across the city but it is nice to shine a light on those efforts which is why it is so important to show that appreciation by making the time to nominate your local unsung hero or sports star that inspires you.