The 2018 Oldham Sports Awards - don't miss out on this very special night!

Scroll down for Video

With less than two weeks to go until the glitzy presentation evening at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldhamers are now being urged not to miss out on their chance to celebrate with their local sporting heroes at the 2018 Oldham Sports Awards.

The great and the good of the borough's sporting fraternity will converge at the QE Hall on Friday week, September 21.

This year marks the 16th annual award ceremony.

The event allows people from different sporting backgrounds to unite as a community and appreciate each other's efforts in order to help improve the local area, while also congratulating and celebrating the accomplishments of the borough's biggest sporting heroes.

Winners from the Sport's Awards - there are eight categories - will go on to represent the borough at the Greater Manchester Sports Awards later in the year.

The award categories this year are Unsung Hero, Club of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year, Contribution to School Sport Award, Sports Achiever of the Year and the Changing Lifestyle Award.

Today the Chronicle features the fourth of our eight looks at the award nominees with a focus on the Volunteer of the Year award.

Three people have been nominated:

Chris Newton

Chris's passion for helping others is showcased in his commitment to Chaddy Park Sports Club, where he coaches three football teams and has set up two brand new teams in the last year.

A colleague said that he previously had to beg parents to go out of their way if they could not afford to bring their children to sessions.

Chris's dedication has resolved this; he regularly travels for an hour before matches or training at his own cost to make sure players can still be involved.

He actively organises fundraising for worthy causes, including a sponsored mini marathon event and bag-packaging for the Love Manchester Fund.

Despite being a volunteer, Chris regularly changes his shift patterns at work to prioritise the club - often attending matches straight after a night shift.

Andy Steel

Alongside his full-time job, Andy is Oldham AFC's second Team Manager, Academy Coach, Executive Committee Member and Social Media Officer - a job which also ends up being almost full-time.

He combined his off-the-pitch work with Andy's Man Club - a support group that encourages young men to talk about mental health issues - with the football club when he suggested they wear AMC shirts in the absence of a sponsor.

Andy has not missed a training session or match day in the last year, making himself constantly available to the players and filling his spare time with planning training sessions and social media work.

Never held back by his mild cerebral palsy, Andy does everything with a smile and is always available to talk, or listen to, anyone at the club.

Sam Coleman

Sam started coaching at Hollinwood three years ago as an 18-year-old.

He started a soccer school with three children.

From those three children the junior section has grown to 100 children playing in nine teams, a soccer school and a soccer tots.

This all came from Sam and his reputation which meant new children kept coming (and are still coming).

The children and parents love him and his philosophy of playing for fun and development, always showing sportsmanship and respect.

Sam welcomes all players, regardless of ability and even encourages disabled players and those with conditions such as autism and dyspraxia. He treats each as an individual.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at the Contribution to School Sport award nominees.

September 21 will present a great evening to recognise local people for their contribution to sport and activity.

Call 0161 770 4051 to book your tickets, which cost just £15 each.

In the meantime, check out local updates on Twitter using the hashtags #TeamOldham and #OSA2018