England Hockey and Glasgow 2018 among winners of Sports Business Awards

Minority sports featured heavily among the winners of this year's Sports Business Awards.

The Professional Darts Corporation won the Best Match (or Game) Day Experience award for its World Darts Championships, while England Hockey was handed the Best Operations Team award for the work of its events team.

Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council was given the award for the UK's Best Sports Event of the Year award, for its part in hosting the multi-sports 2018 European Championships.

The Best Sports Governing Body Initiative award was won by the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA), for its Fighting Chance Scholarship Programme.

In all, there were winners across 18 categories.

According to Simon Burton, co-founder of the Sports Business Awards, the success of minority sports as category winners is a "testament to the growing diversity within the sports business industry" and the rise in popularity of hockey, MMA and boxing – which at times have been overshadowed by more mainstream sports.

"This year’s winners demonstrate the power of sport to do social good, in a world where normal businesses are seeking meaning and purpose, they show the power of sport to transcend the typical constraints of business to effect positive impacts on our lives, health, community and sense of identity," Burton said.

The full list of winners:

Best Operations Team

England Hockey Event’s Team

Best Brand Activation Involving SportChannel 5 – Little & Large campaign – Wildfire Social

Best Club CSR or Community Scheme

Home Is Where The Heart Is – Everton Football Club & Everton in the Community

Best in Sports MediaABB FIA Formula E Championship – Formula E TV (FETV)

Best Sports Charity (or best use of sport by a charity)

Lord’s Taverners

Best Fan Engagement Programme#UnitedByHCL – Manchester United and HCL Technologies

Best Non-Match (or Game) Day use of Venue

Emirates Old Trafford – Lancashire Cricket Club

Best Professional Services Firm in SportKSS

Best Match (or Game) Day Experience

World Darts Championship – Professional Darts Corporation

Agency of the YearMATTA

Sports Tech of the Year – for Sport and in Sport

CloudMatrix – StreamAMG

Best Sports Club / Sports Event HospitalityEngland Rugby Hospitality – Twickenham Experience Limited

Best Small Business or Association Serving Sport – under £3m turnover

Jockey Club Services

Best Business Serving Sport – over £3m turnoverSt. George’s Park

Sports Innovation Award

Born Barikor – Our Parks

Best Sports Governing Body InitiativeFighting Chance Scholarship Programme – British Martial Arts & Boxing Association (BMABA)

Best Sports Event of the Year – Overseas

The Ryder Cup – PGA European Tour

Best Sports Event of the Year – UKGlasgow 2018 European Championships – Glasgow City Council