MARTIAL arts instructors Jon and Becky Lees will be going for a double at next month's Active Devon Sports Awards.

The couple, whose TYGA Martial Arts club operates in Torquay and Paignton, have been jointly nominated in the coach of the year category.

And their club is up for an award as well in the club of the year section. A successful 2011 climaxed with six gold medals for club members at the TYGA World Open Championships in London.

Torbay and South Devon individuals and organisations are well represented on the short list for awards.

Champion sculler Elliot Barton, who rows for England and won a host of national and international titles in 2010 and 2011, is on the list for sports performer of the year.

Sheila Thomas, an administrator at Cary Park Tennis Club in Torquay, has been nominated for senior volunteer of the year. She was a winner in a similar category at the Torbay Sports Personality Awards last November.

Thomas is up against Julie Anne Fewings, one of the founder members of Buckland & Milber FC.

In the youth volunteer category there are nominations for rower Laura Tucker from Brixham and swimmer Holly Willing from Newton Abbot Swimming Club.

Basketball coach Troy Culley is named in the youth coach of the year category. The team he coaches, Torbay Tigers U14s, won the South West title last year and are nominated among the teams of the year.

The girls of Stoodley Knowle School, who won the Lady Taverners' U15 cricket national final at Lords are also listed for team of the year.

Helen Pope, marketing manager at Active Devon said: "For the first time due to our new categories, we have seen nominations that highlight fantastic achievements from players and sport providers too.

"What has been really strong is the range of backgrounds the nominees come from, including sports clubs and more informal community initiatives.

"The judging panel all commented how hard it was to select three finalists when each category had such strong nomination entries.

"They were blown away not only at the quantity of nominations, but also at the achievements by our local athletes, whether at county, national or world level over the last 12 months.

Winners will be revealed at the presentation night, being held at Exeter Chiefs on February 9.