Nominations have to be in by Friday 31st October. Olympic rower Richard Chambers launched this year's Northern Ireland Award by paying tribute to 86-year-old coach Bobby Platt.

Bobby has been involved with the Bann Rowing Club since the 1940s and is currently the Club President.

He's also nurtured talent like Richard Chambers, Richard Archibald and Alan Campbell from their early days at Coleraine Academical Institution to the Beijing Olympics.

"It's just incredible that the three of us have come through the same school and most of that is down to Bobby", says Chambers. "He's always been there for us and he's still there for us when we come back from competitions.

"Bobby has always been the first man at the club to open up and then the last man to lock up."

I don't think I could've made it to that level without the help of Bobby Richard Chambers

Richard, who was a member of the GB lightweight fours at the Olympics, joined his own Unsung Hero to launch the award at the Boat Club at Coleraine Inst. The search is now on to honour individuals from the world of grass roots sport.

Robinsons is supporting the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award and is offering bursaries of up to �2,500 to the winners of each regional award to help them with their work in sport.

"It takes an incredible amount of hard work and dedication to get to the top of your chosen sport, and I don't think I could've made it to that level without the help of Bobby � my own Unsung Hero.

"It's people like Bobby who can make all the difference. Having someone who gives up so much of their time to support and coach you is invaluable.

"So it's great that these unsung heroes all over the UK are being recognised for the support and encouragement they give to so many sports people.

"It's great that someone here in Northern Ireland will also be recognised locally for what they do."

Last year, it was Dromore postman Michael McGreevy who won Northern Ireland's Unsung Hero award after his work with athletes.

Now in its sixth year, the award, supported by Robinsons, is given to a volunteer who has made a difference to their community through sport.

Fifteen local winners are chosen by each BBC English region as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

They will then join a star-studded guest list at the Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on 14 December.

Richard Chambers launched Northern Ireland's unsung hero award

The overall winner is then decided by a judging panel including representatives from the BBC's Nations and Regions, plus previous Unsung Hero winners.

Bursaries of up to �2,500 are also available to the winners of each regional award to help them with their work in sport.

A local BBC panel of judges will choose a shortlist of regional nominees and the winner will be announced at a regional BBC Sports Awards event.

So if you know someone in your area who goes an extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and deserves recognition, we want to hear from you.

You can nominate people who, on a voluntary basis, prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach the juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed throughout the UK.

To nominate your Unsung Hero, either fill in the form below and click "Submit" or, if you prefer, print it off by clicking here, then fill it in and send it to the address on the form.

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