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Coaches who volunteer thousands of hours to improving sports players skill and performance are to be honoured after being nominated for the award by their clubs and individual sportsmen and women.

The candidates have been selected for dedicating their time to motivating young children to play sport, developing leagues for teenagers.

There are also those who have dedicated their time to fine tune athletes who competed in the Sydney Olympics and the Paralympics.

Hundreds of coaches from the 10 Greater Manchester authorities have been put forward for the awards which will be presented by ex-international athlete Paula Dunn Thomas.

Those in the running for the award include tennis coach Andrew Blackley and gymnastics coach Julia Gough of Stockport.

Tameside has nominated netball coach Teresa Monaghan, basketball coach Danny Williams and cricket coach David Hannam.

From Trafford, lacrosse coach Richard Summers is hoping for a win as are Bolton swimming coach Dave Evitts and Oldham tennis coach Nigel Harrison.

Hockey coach peter Nicholson and judo coach Warren Schofield have been nominated by Rochdale while Manchester has put forward netball coach Maria Kennedy and Salford has nominated rugby union coach Trevor Parrott.