Your chance to celebrate alongside Oldham's grass roots sporting heroes

Scroll down for Video

With just over a week 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 seventh of our eight looks at the award nominees with a focus on the Disabled Sports Achiever award.

Four people have been nominated:

Mary Shaw

Mary has competed in both under-11s Boccia and under-9s Cricket ball throw at the Dwarf nationals this year, where she won Gold in the boccia and Silver in the cricket ball throw. 

Mary dedicates many hours to her training, travelling to Liverpool on a weekly basis, where she receives specialist training. 

Mary has shown a real dedication and commitment to both disciplines and her hard work has paid off, achieving personal bests in each. 

Her aim is to compete nationally at the 2021 world dwarf games.

Ellis Potts

Ellis is a Thai Boxer who has been training for three years and has competed in two interclub competitions with able bodied competitors.

Ellis dedicates many hours to his sport, training three times a week to improve his fitness. 

Since starting training, he has grown in confidence and he has become a positive role model at Isaan Gym, helping younger members with their training.

Archie Howarth

Archie plays football for Chadderton Park CP team and attends the Manchester City Academy, as well as attending frame football tournaments at St George’s Park. 

Since starting to play football, Archie has started to walk on his own and hopes to progress to play without his frame. 

Archie has a strong will and determination to succeed and no matter what, he is always smiling.

Kai O’Neil

Kai is a member of Chadderton Park CP football team and Manchester City Academy. 

As a keen footballer, he doesn’t let his Cerebral Palsy get in his way and he gives 100% at all times. 

Kai has recently learnt to walk without his frame and although he can struggle with his balance, nothing stops him getting back up and playing football.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at the Sports Achiever of the Year 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