Nominations now open for Annual Awards 2026

The 2025 awards, which were handed out on Cup Finals Saturday in April, attracted a total of 182 nominations across 12 categories – the highest number since the Covid-19 Pandemic.    

And to mark Volunteers’ Week 2025, which runs from 2nd to 8th June, the 2026 edition of the awards is now open for nominations – giving you extra time to put your candidates forward.  

Nominations are welcomed for anyone that has gone above and beyond to improve volleyball, create a stronger community and champion inclusivity. 

The Awards include people and clubs from across volleyball’s communities, including coaches, referees, HEVOs and other volunteers, recognising those working at budding clubs and Junior grassroots level, right through to Super League and international competitions. 

“Our Hub staff and the judging panel take immense joy and pride in seeing all the phenomenal work that is done by our wonderful communities, and we would love to continue hearing more stories throughout the year,” said Mahek Narnolia, Volleyball England’s Project Lead (Get. Keep. Grow). 

You can read through the nomination criteria here, and nominate people and clubs for the Volleyball England Annual Awards 2026 using the nomination form here. 

The award categories you can nominate for are: 

• Coach of the Year for Adults  
• Coach of the Year for Children and Young People  
• Young Coach of the Year   
• Referee of the Year  
• Young Referee of the Year  
• Volunteer of the Year  
• Young Volunteer of the Year  
• HEVO of the Year  
• Club of the Year  
• Contribution to Volleyball  
• Serena Morten Inclusion Award  
• Unsung Hero  

The shortlist will be announced once the nomination period ends in early 2026. 

A list of previous winners, interviews with some of them and links to last year’s ceremony can all be found on the Annual Awards webpage.