Champion line-up of finalists confirmed for 2025 Leeds Sports Awards

Nominations opened in February for the 22^nd edition of the event, held each year to celebrate the achievements of individual athletes – of all ages and levels – as well as community-based teams and volunteers.

And the chosen finalists in a total of 13 different categories have now been announced as the countdown continues to next month’s awards ceremony.

Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft and Kadeena Cox are shortlisted for the Disability Sportsperson Award, while Olympic gold medallists Katy Marchant, Tom Pidcock and Georgie Brayshaw are in contention for the Sportsperson Award.

Diving coach Adam Smallwood, gymnastics coach Dave Murray, wheelchair racing coach Paul Moseley and triathlon coach Rhys Davey are all finalists in the Performance Coach Award category.

Taking place on Thursday, May 15, this year’s ceremony will be held for the first time at Leeds’s Carriageworks Theatre and is being hosted by sports broadcaster Tanya Arnold and Leeds Rhinos great Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

The recipient of 2025’s Sporting Pride of Leeds Award – previously won by legendary names such as Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, Eddie Gray and Rob Burrow – will be announced on the evening.

The awards are once again being delivered by Sport Leeds with support from Leeds City Council.

Rob Wadsworth, chair of Sport Leeds, said:

“The long-awaited finalists announcement has been made and, as you would expect from this great sporting city, we will be celebrating the global success of athletes and their coaches, but equally as important, the unsung heroes of community sport.”

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

“From a very large number of nominations, the judges have produced an exceptional list of finalists representing every level of sport across the city, from inspirational community champions to Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners. We look forward to showcasing their sporting achievements at the wonderful Carriageworks Theatre.”

2025 LEEDS SPORTS AWARDS FINALISTS

Young Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

Lucas Town

Oliver Porter

Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

Hannah Cockroft

Kadeena Cox

Young Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

Amy Wright

Matilda Potter

Yaried Alem

Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

Georgie Brayshaw

Katy Marchant

Tom Pidcock

School Achievement (Sponsored by YPO)

Dave Curtis

St Theresa's Catholic Primary School

Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Sponsored by Rosterfy)

Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds

Dr Ian Richards

Community Coach (Sponsored by Evans Homes)

Charlotte Williams

Elaine Brown & Pete Makowski

Community Team/Club (Sponsored by Evans Homes)

Crossgates Harriers

Methley United AFC

Student Sport Champion (Sponsored by Leeds Trinity University)

Luke Whitehouse

Max Burgin

Inspirational Community Champion (Sponsored by University of Leeds)

Anthony Hall

Come Outside – Jovanni & Rob

Performance Coach (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)

Adam Smallwood

Dave Murray

Paul Moseley

Rhys Davey

Performance Team/Club (Sponsored by Weetwood Hall Estate)

City of Leeds Diving Club

Leeds Gymnastics Club

Sustainability Champion (Sponsored by Zoggs)

K.E.E.P.

Yorkshire Cricket Foundation

Sporting Pride of Leeds (Sponsored by first direct arena)

Winner to be announced during May 15’s ceremony

Note to editors:

Sport Leeds was established in 2002 and has since become a dynamic sports network with a strong reputation in the city and region. It serves as the strategic partnership for organisations involved in promoting and developing sports and active recreation in Leeds.

The network includes professional and amateur sports clubs, universities, colleges, school clusters and other important sporting organisations from within the city, region and beyond.

ENDS