Sports award nomination recognises local MEP’s work

East Midlands Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin has been nominated for the ‘Sport and Physical Activity MEP of the year award’, following her tireless campaigning on sports issues and continuing promotion of grassroots sport.

The award is part of the MEP Awards 2016, organised annually by the European Parliament Magazine. Now in its 12th year, the annual awards seek to recognise the work and achievements of MEPs across a range of policy areas.

With participation in sports and physical activity declining or failing to improve in many EU member states, the Sports award recognises an MEP who has gone the extra mile in promoting sport and fitness through their work in parliament and through grassroots activity in their home countries.

Miss McClarkin, who worked for the Rugby Football Union before moving into politics, has been at the forefront of the campaign in the European Parliament to put transparency and openness back at the heart of FIFA.

She has also worked hard to promote sports clubs across the East Midlands during her time as an MEP, and is passionate about ensuing the importance of the grassroots of sport are recognised.

Miss McClarkin said:

“I’m very flattered to have been nominated for Sports MEP of the year. Having worked in sport before becoming elected, it is an area I continue to be passionate about, and I especially try to keep highlighting the importance of grassroots sports. Protecting the integrity of sport is also of great importance to fans worldwide and for sports’ future ability to inspire people and promote physical activity as a life enhancer.”

The winners in the 19 different categories will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 16th March.

In line with her previous work on the issue, Miss McClarkin will be hosting an event in the European Parliament on Wednesday 27 January, which will see some of the candidates to be President of FIFA in attendance to discuss how they would reform the organisation.