Leeds Rhinos star facing Olympian and Lifesaver battle in finalists for 2026 Leeds Sports Awards
The finalists for the 2026 Leeds Sports Awards have been announced.
A Leeds Rhinos star faces competition from a city Olympian and Lifesaver for the top accolade at the 2026 Leeds Sports Awards.
Now in their 23rd year, the Leeds Sports Awards have become one of the city’s most anticipated sporting celebrations, spotlighting not only elite performers competing on national and international stages, but also the grassroots champions who make sport possible every day in local parks, schools and clubs.
This year’s event is being held at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds on Thursday, May 14, ahead of finalists have been announced for 13 award categories.
Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor is one of three finalists for the top accolade sportsperson of the year award in which he faces competition from Team GB Olympic gymnast Luke Whitehouse plus Leeds Beckett student and GB Lifesaving athlete Sam Lawman.
In the bid for a big double, the Leeds Gymnastics Display Team are one of three finalists for the Performance Team/Club of the Year, facing competition from Leeds Knights and New Farnley CC.
Last year saw Leeds host major events including Ironman Leeds and the return of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, alongside a year-round calendar of competitions, community initiatives and participation opportunities across a huge range of sports.
Rob Wadsworth, Head of Sport Leeds, said: “The Leeds Sports Awards is about celebrating the people who make sport happen, from athletes achieving incredible things, to the volunteers, clubs and coaches who support others to take part. 2025 was a brilliant year for Leeds, and these awards give us the chance to recognise those at the heart of it.”
Leeds Sports Awards 2026 finalists
ATHLETES OF THE CITY
Sportsperson of the Year
Jake Connor
Luke Whitehouse
Samuel Lawman
Disability Sportsperson of the Year
Charlie Welsh
Dan Bell
Hannah Cockroft CBE DL
Young Sportsperson of the Year
Daniel Ransom
Felix Wheeler
Gabriel Shepherd
Gina Bene-Hamill
Young Disability Sportsperson of the Year
Oliver Burrows
Oliver Porter
BEACONS OF THE CITY
School Achievement of the Year
Freya Bignell
Pete McQuillen-Strong
Shakespeare Primary School
Outstanding Sports Volunteer
David Saul
Laura Love
Community Club of the Year
Drighlington A.R.L.F.C.
Leeds ParkyPING!
Rodley Cricket Club
Community Coach of the Year
Jordan Gabbidon
Liam Stanhope
Mark Ramskill
Student Sport Champion/s
Abigail Hallam
Leeds Beckett University Rugby League 1st Team
CHAMPIONS OF THE CITY
Inspirational Community Champion/s
Clarrie Ramsden
Cross Flatts FC
Ubaid Hussain
Sustainability Champion of the Year
Chevin Chase
Hunslet Club
University of Leeds Surf Club
Performance Team/Club of the Year
Leeds Gymnastics Display Team
Leeds Knights
New Farnley CC
Performance Coach of the Year
Jamie Fowler
Paul Moseley
Rob Mackenzie