Meet your nominees.
The TAFi Awards exist because of the people quietly holding community athletics together. If you know one of them, a coach, an official, a volunteer, an athlete, then this is where their story starts.
VOTING OPEN, NOMINATIONS CLOSED!
Why get involved
Athletics in the UK has incredible potential, but systemic barriers prevent many from participating, excelling, and leading.
OPEN NOW
Date: Thursday 29th October 2026
Location: Central London
Capacity: 200 guests
Dress Code: Whatever makes you feel fabulous
MEET THE NOMINEES
Athlete of the year
Male
Ben Jefferies
Ben Jefferies has enjoyed a breakthrough 400m season, lowering his PB to 44.66 and establishing himself among Brita my opinionin’s leading one-lappers. He backed that progression up with European and Commonwealth relay silvers before representing GB at the Ultimate Championships. A season of huge progression, international experience and performances that make what comes next incredibly exciting.
Jeremiah Azu
Jeremiah Azu has enjoyed an exceptional 2026. He became a double British Indoor Champion and ran 6.45 to move second on the UK all-time 60m list, before finishing fourth in one of the fastest 60m finals ever. He carried that form outdoors, winning European silver and qualifying for the top 16 at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships. A season of consistency at the highest level.
Josh Kerr
Josh Kerr has delivered an extraordinary 2026, winning World Indoor 3000m gold, Commonwealth Games mile gold and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships 1500m title. He also broke the 27-year-old mile world record with 3:42.66. His consistency, ambition and ability to perform on the biggest stages make him an outstanding GBR athlete.
Joshan Roy Vencatasamy
Joshan has had an outstanding 2025/2026 season. He was selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games in both the 100m and 200m, as well as the African Championships. Hes is also a mentor and a coach tosome of the young people in the DLi Academy.
Louie Hinchliffe
Louie is constantly pushing and excelling, and puts in a brilliant team effort onsistently.
Matthew Hudson Smith
Phenomenal athlete over many years and his home performance win at the European championships was sensational!
Romell Glave
He produced a spectacular display to claim a shock gold in the men’s European 100 metres final, as well as with his first National championship title after having a fractured back for the last two years.
Sam Bennett
Sam Bennett deserves recognition for a breakthrough 2026. Returning from a PCL injury, he won his first British 110m hurdles title before making his CWG debut and winning silver. He also ran superbly in his first senior GB vest at the Euro Champs, reaching the final, a hurdle misstep cost him a stronger result. A season of resilience, progression and proving he belongs at the highest level.
Vimal Pedro Patel
Four years ago, Pedro was paralysed in hospital with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and told he could be in a wheelchair for life. He had to relearn how to move, speak and walk. But he never gave up. Within three years, he went from taking his first steps to running again. His resilience is truly inspiring. He is also a masters GB Athlete.
Athlete of the year
Female
Amber Anning
Amber Anning produced 50.16, to break her own championship record at the national championships and won gold in the women’s 400m final
Georgia Hunter-Bell
Georgia Hunter Bell an exceptional 2026, winning World Indoor 1500m gold, European 1500m gold and Commonwealth Games 800m gold. Her ability to succeed across two distances and deliver major championship victories demonstrates remarkable versatility, consistency and competitive excellence at the highest level.
Amy Hunt
She topped a sensational 2025 by winning Four Gold medals and the European Championships which is a first for any British Athlete.
Dina Asher-Smith
She is the most successful British athlete in the history of the European Athletics Championships.
Jazmin Sawyers
Jaz is a powerful advocate for women in sport, challenging the barriers that female athletes face and using her voice to inspire the next generation. She represents excellence, authenticity, resilience and the importance of making athletics a place where women and girls can thrive. So combination of elite sporting achievement and her contribution to the wider experience of women in sport!
Keely Hodgkinson
Demonstrating fierce discipline and perseverance. showing determination and representing with class and composure. All of what she stands for in female sports. She is a European Silver medallist and World Ultimate Champion Silver too.
Morgan Lake
After her father was placed in a two month coma before being diagonsed with Acute Necrotising Rhomboencephalitis, she continued to compete at the highest level and reach international finals.
Success Eduan
Due to her story behind being a full time student, working on maternity wards delivering babies which is not an easy job to juggle around being a full time athlete. Whilst doing all of this, she had a successful season winning the U.K. title and making major championships and a new personal best. A great example for young full time athletes, to believe you can achieve more than one thing
Yemi Mary John
For demonstrating strength and perseverance and obtaining a silver. Also advocating for women in sports
Para-athlete of the year
Male
Aled Davies
Has added to his medal collection to become a Commonewaelth Games Gold medalist this year in Glasgow.
Thomas Young
Thomas Young’s 2026 season was about far more than a medal. After becoming Paralympic champion in Tokyo 2021, injury and disappointment tested his journey. Missing Birmingham 2022 made his return to the Commonwealth stage in Glasgow even more significant. On his 26th birthday, Thomas won T38 100m gold in a Games Record — back on top and back on the podium.
Ben Sandilands
Won a Gold medal at his home games during the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Nathan Maguire
Zac Shaw
Despite losing his mum and having no coach for most of the year he went on to win Commonwealth Games gold.
Para-athlete of the year
Female
Amy Thompson
Amy manages University and training, and this was evidenced by her throwing a huge PB in the Shot this year. She has now completed 3 years on our futures programme and during that she has engaged well, is very helpful and has shown leadership qualities.
Bebe Jackson
Bebe Jackson’s journey inspires people she’s never met. She made history at the Youth Games and tried her hardest at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Her honesty, determination, and pride in her disability encourage young disabled athletes to believe they belong in sport.
Maddie Down
Combining A levels with competing, winning Commonwealth Bronze – T38 Women’s 100m and becoming British Indoor 60m Champion all aged 18.The British Champs were 2 weeks after mock exams, and the Commonwealth Games less the 4 weeks after her A levels.
She achieved the results needed to enrol at Birmingham University, one of the top Universities in the country for her chosen course of Criminology.
Melanie Woods
Melanie Woods won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year, T54 400m and 800m. She also received the David Dixon Award given to the most outstanding athlete of the games.
She also came 4th at the Berlin Marathon which was her first ever marathon.
Mel is an incredible teammate on the GB Para Squad. She is a role model to many and uses her platform to inspire others.
Didi Okoh
Over the past few years, Didi has been setting an exemplary example for the advocacy of para-rights within sports alongside raising awareness for her condition, Primary Lymphedema, and challenging the current issues within safeguarding, race and disability intersectionality within sports. Paving the way for the inclusion of Primary Lymphedema in sport, Didi has inspired a new generation of ‘lymphies’ to undergo classification within different sporting events, a feat that was unseen prior to her advocacy that their condition does not define nor prevent their ability to partake in physical activity.
Olivia Breen
Was team captain for Wales at Commies. Might she be one of the first para athletes to do so from any Home Nation
Breakthrough young star of the year
Male
Bronson Hearn-Smith
This summer Bronson Hearn Smith won the 200 metre Gold at the under-18 European Championships, hes 16 years old.
Divine Iheme
Divine demonstrated great character, values, skills and leadership whilst winning the 2026 100m at the European u18 Championships which lead him to also be selected or the World U20 Champs achieving silver medals in the mixed 4x100m & mens 4x100m relays at the age of 16. He supported everyone on the team and gained the respect of everyone inc his opposition. He’s a great role model for the sport
Ebuka Nwokeji
He has been improving every year as a junior, being a continuous finalist/medalist and into his first year as an u23, achieving bronze at the U.K. championships. He was 200m selection at Europeans Championships and also 4×100 selection for Commonwealth Games at only 19yrs old, whilst navigating first year of university.
Ethan Heggarty
European Under-18 100m record holder who represented GB & NI at 2025 Under-20 European Championships, headlining British squad in Finland while inspiring young athletes nationwide with his remarkable progression.
Jacob-Samuel Stanton
At just 11, Alfie Shallcross (T20/F20) has made a huge impact in para athletics, hes won 3 golds at the Junior Para Nationals, and placed 1st in U15 long jump and 3rd in 100m at the Junior Para Championships
Jay Husain
Jay Husain is an exciting young talent who enjoyed a standout breakthrough season. He won the U16 Boys ESAA 300m hurdles title in 37.09, setting a championship record and British age-group record, with the performance believed to be an age-14 world record. A remarkable achievement at just 14, and a glimpse of an exciting future.
Samuel James
At just 16, he won high jump gold at the 2026 European U18 Championships with a remarkable 2.25m clearance, setting a championship record and equalling the British U18 record. Representing Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers, his achievement is an inspiring example of emerging young British talent.
Tito Odunaike
James Arminio
James improved from 11.46s & 23.6s to 10.30s & 20.76s in the 100m and 200m over two seasons. His breakthrough year featured bronze and silver at the EA Championships and silver at the World U20 Championships. He won the English Schools SB 100m, represented Great Britain at the World U20 Champs, reached the 100m semi-finals, and earned a silver medal in the 4x100m relay with record times.
Breakthrough young star of the year
Female
Capree Cooper
14yo Capree Cooper. She turned last year’s silvers into an undefeated 2026 season, pulling off a historic English Schools 800m and National 300m gold double. Refusing to pick an single event, she swept all County, Regional and National titles (breaking Olympic medalist Georgia Bell’s record) to finish U16 UK No.1 in the 300m/400m/600m (an All-Time UK Record) & No.2 in 800m. A generational talent.
Charlotte Henrich
Welsh sprinter with fastest UK U17 60m time this year at 7.49 seconds, breaking championship records in 200m while inspiring young athletes through Cardiff Archers and representing Wales with pride.
Ellie Bowen
Youngest member for wales Glasgow commonwealth games team and made the team by working hard and dedication Threw a personal best and placed higher than when entered.
Emma Nwofor
She had a breakthrough moment from the start of 2026, after a tumble in 2025 UK Championships. She made every major championships since indoors, world indoors, Europeans and Commonwealth Games and has been consistent in running her fastest world class times all through the season. She is unfunded and has had to rely on public support which is courageous and very dedicated. Also doing work on media
Ivy Adjani
Overtime she has grown in confidence through athletics and discovered a genuine joy for the sport. Her dedication, determination, and positive attitude make her an inspiring young athlete and a deserving recipient of this award.
Kaya Slater
Two years ago she suffered a serious injury, and she spent the 2024–25 winter managing it with limited training. Even so, she ranked No. 2 among UK U20 women over 100m in 2025 (11.50). She reached the European U20 100m semi-finals in Tampere, won 4x100m silver with GB, and made her Diamond League debut in the 4x100m for GB2 at the London Diamond League. in 2026, her first senior season and her first competing for Scotland, she made her Scottish debut at the IFAM outdoor meeting in Brussels over 100m and 4x100m. She then won bronze in her first England Athletics Senior 100m final and returned to the London Diamond League, this time running the 4x100m for Scotland.
Penny North
Penny has a rare genetic movement disorder and had to relearn to walk at 2. This year she burst into athletics, competing in cross country, track, field and sportshall—often as the only para athlete. She may finish last, but she never stops giving 110%, inspiring others to see what disabled children can achieve.
Coach of the year
Anita Richardson
Dalton Grant
David Joslyn
Helen Clitheroe
Helen James
Jamie Bath
Joe McDonnell
Joel Fearon
John Herbert
Julie Pratt-Benterman
Lorna Boothe
Laura Turner-Alleyne
Mark Chapman
Paul Wilsonr
Roddy Slater
Trevor Painter
TJ Ossai
Sharon Morris
Paul Moseley
Impact over
accolades.
Concrete actions that opened the sport to people who might otherwise never have set foot on a track.
The knock-on effect on athletes, families, clubs, schools, recognition of change beyond a single result.
Years, not moments. The unglamorous, repeatable work that holds a sport together.
Something that will move a room of strangers. Detail beats superlatives.