THE RJRGLEANER NATIONAL SPORTSMAN AND SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 

The Background

The RJRGLEANER National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year awards, represent fifty nine (59) years of unbroken recognition of excellence in sports. Formerly the Machado Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards; then the Carreras Sportsman and Sportswoman Awards; and as at 2018 the RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation are the custodian of this national treasure.The RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit body comprising individuals with strong links with sports, either at the participatory, management or administrative level.

Members of the RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation are: Gary Allen (Chair), Mike Fennell, Carrole Guntley, Deon Hemmings-McCatty, Molly Rhone, , Yvonne Wilks-O’Grady, Courtney Sergeant and Tony James. The Foundation is responsible for organising the annual awards.

Members of the Selection Committee are: Mike Fennel (Chair), Courtney Sergeant, Deon Hemmings – McCatty, Dr. Keith Wellington and Michael Hall. They determine the awardees and/or nominees for the awards.

Objective of the Awards
• Recognise and reward our local athletes who have excelled in their chosen disciplines at the international, regional and national level.
• Generate adequate cash or kind to make the awards self-financing.
• Provide compelling quality ‘sports content’ by making the occasion and the journey to the Awards a signature event that has national, regional and international appeal to Diaspora markets

The Awards
The awards are divided into seven areas: –
1. The Special Awards
2. Category Awards – representing all sports
3. Chairman’s’ Award
4. Gleaner Newspaper Iconic Award
5. People’s Choice Performance Awards
6. The coveted National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards
7. VMBS Y.O.U.T.H. Awards

The People’s Choice Performance Awards is the forum used to give sporting fans the opportunity to participate by voting for their favourite Sporting performance. This voting mechanism does not impact or influence the decisions on the other awards.

The award is a gala event that takes place annaully identifying performances in the previous year and celebrating these performances in January of the new year.  It is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean and it is broadcast LIVE on Television Jamaica, HITZ 92FM, TVJ Sports Network and 22 Caribbean countries.