The waiting will be over tonight as the winners of the 2011 Leicester Mercury Sports Awards are revealed.

The presentation ceremony at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium has been organised for the first time by Champions (UK).

As usual, the county's Sporting Oscars have received fantastic support from business organisations around the county, including pension and wealth management group Mattioli Woods, which is sponsoring the Club of the Year category.

Shortlisted for the prize are Leicester Monarchs cycle speedway club, City of Leicester swimming club and an organisation Mattioli Woods' chief executive Ian Mattioli knows very well, Leicester Coritanian AC.

As a teenager, Mr Mattioli ran for the Coritanian club and was county champion over both 400m and 800m.

"All the values I created then I have carried through," he said.

"We are a Leicester business and we are very happy to support local initiatives.

"We employ 300 people and sport, fitness and health is high up on our agenda.

"I think that if you have fit, active people then you have a fit, active business.

"We do promote sport internally but also like to support outside sporting initiatives involving local clubs."

Mattioli Woods has a longstanding relationship with Coritanian.

"We support their middle distance team," Mr Mattioli said.

"They work very hard as a club. Generally, we believe that good, well-run clubs will create the environment, through all age groups, for the benefits of sport to be felt."

With an eye to the Olympic Games in London, Mr Mattioli is optimistic that more people will be encouraged to become involved in sport – and not just the major ones.

"I think that is realistic," he said. "I think we will find that some of the less-popular sports will really take off this year."

Leicestershire can already boast excellence in a huge array of sports, which will be demonstrated at this evening's presentations as the winners step up to receive their trophies.

Tonight's proceedings will be hosted by Leicester snooker legend Willie Thorne, together with TV presenter Emma Jesson.

At the end of the ceremony, entertainment will be provided for guests by singer Andy Abraham.