Volunteer of the Year Award
Aim of the Award:
Following the success of the inaugural Volunteer of the Year Award in 2023, CASES will continue to recognise all of the hard work and dedication that CASES receives from all the volunteers working on behalf of the Association. We understand that many members devote much time and energy to their role and are not seeking recognition. However, CASES would not be where it is, were it not for this contribution. As such, we would like to show our appreciation, and to commit to recognising members who contribute in the future.
Number Offered: Five - CASES Volunteer of the Year; CASES Volunteer (Member); CASES Volunteer (Member) Runner-up; CASES Volunteer (Committee Member); CASES Volunteer (Committee Member) Runner-up.
Target CASES Membership Category: Professional member (regulated), Technical member (regulated), Member (non-regulated), Graduate member (non-regulated), and Student Member (non-regulated).
Application Open Date: 1 June 2026
Application Closing Date: Noon 1 September 2026
Nominate a member for this Award: Online Nomination Form
Results Available: Within eight weeks of the application closing date.
Award prizes:
CASES Volunteer of the Year will receive one full covered place at the next CASES Conference (Two-day package (all sessions across both days), including one night's accommodation.
The CASES Volunteer (Member and Committee Member) will receive free CASES membership subscription for one year.
The CASES Volunteer (Member and Committee Member) Runner-up will receive a Certificate.
Quote from the CASES Volunteer of the Year 2025 Winner:
"This year, CASES recognised our work to advance sustainable practice across sport and exercise science, through launching the Sustainable Laboratory Principles, embedding climate‑focused criteria into endorsement schemes, and even creating the Equipment Flip Scheme, which has already redistributed over £20k of unused kit to members. Being recognised as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year was a real honour, and I hope it inspires others to nominate the brilliant people driving positive change in our discipline and community.”
- Dr Ash Willmott MCASES
Nomination categories:
The qualifying categories are:
a) Members
b) Committee members (including members serving on the Board, a Standing Committee, an Advisory Group or a Special Interest Group Steering Committee.)
A guide to making your nomination:
The judging panel will be looking for different attributes for each of the two categories within sections 4 and 5 of the nomination form. Please use the notes below as a guide to what will be considered and give as many clear examples as possible to support your nomination.
Guide
Section 4: Why do you feel this person deserves recognition within CASES?
Member: A strong advocate of CASES, participates in CASES activities, demonstrates the CASES values and behaviours, encourages others to become members or join CASES activities – please give clear examples
Committee Member: Has held various offices, is pro-active across the Association and within a Division, assists others, organises events and activities, drives forward key projects, demonstrates the CASES values and behaviours, – please give details of positions held and for how long, how they are proactive or assist others and any outstanding achievements.
Section 5: Personal Qualities
Please refer to the CASES Values, Commitments and Behaviours
Member: Enthusiasm, motivation, reliability, flexibility, creativity, positivity, supportive – please give clear examples
Committee Member: Supportive, team player, enthusiasm, positive attitude, empathy, understanding, respect, loyalty, motivation, innovation, hard-working, problem solving, good communicator – please give clear examples.
Nomination process:
Members can nominate CASES members via nomination form.
Please ask the nominee’s permission to enter them for this Award.
Certificates and prizes will be awarded to the respective category (CASES Volunteer of the Year; CASES Volunteer (Member); CASES Volunteer (Member) Runner-up; CASES Volunteer (Committee Member); CASES Volunteer (Committee Member) Runner-up) and will be chosen, from all entries, by a judging panel, appointed by the Board, whose decision will be final.
Following the announcement of the winners, full details of the category winners will be published on the website and within the next edition of The Sport and Exercise Scientist.
Nominations received after the closing date will not be eligible for consideration.
