SPECIALIST sports equip�ment shop AW Sports has joined forces with the Chronicle to launch a monthly sports award celebrating the achievements of individuals or teams in Reading.

Three nominees will be cho�sen by the public every month in recognition of their exceptional performances.

Perhaps they have beaten a long standing club record, inspired their team to victory or overcome adversity.

Sports fans are being urged to put forward their nominations to the Chronicle via the website or by text.

AW Sports, situated in Headley Road, Woodley, sells a wide vari�ety of specialist sports equipment covering most sports from football to badminton, and are relishing the opportunity to celebrate local sporting talent.

James Thompson of AW Sports said: "AW Sports is delighted to join forces with the Chronicle for the monthly sports awards.

"Sport is at the top of the agenda in 2012 with the Olympics this year and we feel this is a great way to celebrate Reading's sporting achievement.

"Not only is this a great opportu�nity to reinforce some great results for local individuals and teams, but also to perhaps acknowledge some unsung heroes who contribute tre�mendously to our local sporting scene without much recognition, and also encourage some younger rising stars."

He added: "We are looking for individuals or teams that have demonstrated exceptional sport�ing achievement in the local area in any sport covered in the Reding Chronicle or Midweek and really do a great job of putting Reading sport on the map. "We will consider all ages and abilities with the emphasis on progression, potential and great sportsmanship. We are excited about getting the public to vote for their favorite local sports people, and hope that Reading gets behind our deserving sporting heroes."

Winners will receive a trophy and a �50 voucher to spend at AW Sports. They will also be featured in the Chronicle after picking up their award.

JUNE 'S SPORTS AWARDS NOMINATIONS

ANDY WATTS, who plays for Peppard Cricket Club in the Premier Division and became only the fifth player to surpass 10,000 runs in the Berkshire League. He has also taken more than 300 wickets for the club.

Reading Cricket Club's Australian star ALEX PATTERSON took a hat-trick of wickets on his debut and picked up a seven-wicket haul against High Wycombe 2nds last weekend.

Reading Rowing Club junior pair CECILIA MOWCZAN and LAUREN KEDAR won gold at the National Schools Regatta and won two races at the recent Reading Amateur Regatta.

**The closing date for online votes is midnight on Sunday, July 1 so get voting!**

Vote at www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sports-personality