2025 Award Categories
Celebrate their impact on our community
The RVA Sports Awards will honor local athletic achievements from 2025 and honor those who aim to better the Richmond region through sport.
Female Athlete of the Year - Given to a local female athlete who is currently participating in amateur, collegiate or professional sports. This athlete exemplifies all the positive aspects of sport and has made a positive impact on the Richmond community in 2025.
Male Athlete of the Year - Given to a local male athlete who is currently participating in amateur, collegiate or professional sports. This athlete exemplifies all the positive aspects of sport and has made a positive impact on the Richmond community in 2025.
Team of the Year - Given to a team who is currently participating in amateur, collegiate or professional sports. This team exemplifies all the positive aspects of sport and has made a positive impact on the Richmond community in 2025.
Coach of the Year - Given to a male or female coach who is currently or has been a coach in amateur, high school, collegiate or professional sports. This coach exemplifies all the positive aspects of sport and has made a positive impact on the Richmond community in 2025.
Moment of the Year - Given to the participants in a moment in the past year that energized RVA sports fans, displayed remarkable athletic skill or demonstrated incredible sportsmanship.
Youth Athlete of the Year - Given to a local youth athlete who is currently participating in sports through high school level. This athlete exemplifies all the positive aspects of sports and has made a positive impact on the Richmond Region in 2025.
Youth Team of the Year - Given to a local youth team who is currently participating in sports through high school level. This team exemplifies all the positive aspects of sports and has made a positive impact on the Richmond Region in 2025.
Event Impact of the Year - The Event Impact of the Year award recognizes impact to the community or residents beyond economic impact. The event can demonstrate impact through many ways like benefiting underserved communities, improving health and wellness, promoting adaptive sports, dedication to diversity equity and inclusion or dedication to environment sustainability.
Community Champion Award - Given to an individual sports fan, volunteer or advocate that has made a public and longstanding commitment to sports in the Richmond community and is committed to bettering the region through sports. The winner is determined by a distinguished panel.
Courage Story – Presented to an individual, group, or organization that has shown extraordinary courage and/or whose commitment to the Richmond community “transcends sports".
The Award Process
The Awards Process: Public nominations will be open from October 1 to December 15, 2025 for the Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Moment of the Year, Youth Athlete of the Year, Youth Team of the Year and Event Impact of the Year. Anyone currently playing or coaching, in the Richmond Region or a collegiate or professional athlete or coach that is from Richmond and/or attended high school or college in the Region is eligible to be nominated.
A distinguished representation of local sports media will choose the top finalists in each category and fan voting will take place from December 15, 2025 to January 15, 2026 at CBS 6. Fan voting will represent 75% of the final points total, while the distinguished panel of local sports media will represent 25% of the final points total. Winners will be announced at the 2026 RVA Sports Awards Show.
