Shortlist for London Sport Awards announced

LONDON, UK | The nominees for the London Sport Awards 2023, supported by the City of London Corporation, have been announced today, celebrating the unsung heroes of London who are improving lives through sport and physical activity.

The shortlist for the seventh edition of the Awards sees 26 nominees announced across ten categories including an array of community volunteers, grassroots teams, health and fitness clubs, elite sports organisations, businesses and charities.

With a record 350 nominations received, the finalists were chosen by a panel of expert judges including representatives from Sport England, London Marathon, Greater London Authority, and previous winners of the London Sport Awards.

Thanks to the generous support of the City of London Corporation, the London Sport Awards ceremony will once again be held at the historic Guildhall in March 2023. The event will celebrate the inspirational stories of these finalists and their work through powerful films created by students from Ravensbourne University London’s Digital Television Production Degree course.

The shortlist for one of the most prestigious categories, Volunteer of the Year, includes Mikey Thomson who was described as the ‘King of Haringey’ for his lifelong dedication to grassroots cricket and delivering sessions to local schools in his borough. Also featuring on the shortlist for the Award is Steve King for his work with Sutton United's Disability Football to provide new opportunities for disabled people, and Ziana Butt for her work in breaking down stereotypes for Asian women playing netball across London.

“There are so many unsung heroes across the capital who are changing lives, so to be recognised as one of them is an honour. The past few years have been challenging but a lot of hard work has gone in to ensure that we continue to make a difference.”

- Ashley Marshalleck, QMSU Foundation and Finalist for the Enhancing the Workforce Award, in association with Chipotle.

For those organisations making the biggest impact in the community, Evolve Cycling Network in Harrow, Single Homeless Project (working across London) and Playinnovation in Newham have all been nominated. Meanwhile, England Netball and the Metropolitan Police Service’s partnership in Croydon has been nominated for the Uniting London Award, along with Tower Hamlets’ Aberfeldy Boxing Club and Disability Sports Coach.

"As we aim to impact the community and help change the lives of those we work with, it means so much to be recognised for achieving this. This award could potentially give us a greater voice in changing the provision of physical activity to reach all corners of the community."

- Sam Sainsbury, SHP (Single Homeless Project) Sport Project and Finalist for the Community Impact Award, in association with 4Global.

The Supporting Young Londoners Award features Swim England for its London Legacy Project bringing communities together in London’s most deprived boroughs as well as The Barclays Girls Football School Partnership with Featherstone School, nominated for its work creating opportunities for women’s football players in Ealing. Bethany Thomson, a P.E. teacher working predominantly with Bangladeshi communities in Tower Hamlets, completed the shortlist.

“With so many Londoners facing the challenges of inequality and inactivity, it is incredibly inspiring to see how the unique spirit of London can still thrive. Each and every nominee on this list should hold their head high as they continue to play their part in improving the lives of Londoners through sport and physical activity.”

- Jillian Moore, Chair of London Sport and Chair of the Awards Judging Panel.

The winners of all ten categories will be announced during an in-person ceremony held at the Guildhall on March 23 next year. The Awards is supported, for the third year running, by the City of London Corporation, and will bring together people and organisations from every part of London’s sporting community.

For more details about the nominees shortlisted, visit https://londonsport.org/our-events/london-sport-awards.

Full Shortlist – London Sport Awards 2023 supported by the City of London Corporation

Volunteer of the Year

• Ziana Butt (Working across London)
• Steve King (Sutton)
• Mikey Thomson (Haringey)

The Supporting Young Londoners Award

• Swim England (Haringey)
• Bethany Thompson (Tower Hamlets)
• Barclays Girls Football School Partnership - Featherstone School Sport Partnership (Ealing)

The Health & Wellbeing Award

• Core Arts (Hackney)
• ‘Active Wellbeing (Wandsworth and Richmond)’ by Enable Leisure and Culture
• Mytime Active (Bromley)

The Digital and Tech Innovation Award

• Louis Cadier – StreetTT (Working across London)
• Swing Fitness (Working across London)
• Playfinder, powering Bookteq (Camden)

The Elite Sport in the Community Award

• · Winner to be announced at the London Sport Awards event in March

The Uniting London Award

• Disability Sports Coach (Working across London)
• Aberfeldy Boxing Club (Tower Hamlets)
• England Netball & The Metropolitan Police Service (Croydon)

The Community Impact Award, in association with 4Global

• Evolve Cycling Network (Harrow)
• Single Homeless Project: Sport Project (Working across London)
• Playinnovation (Newham)

The Enhancing the Workforce Award, in association with Chipotle

• QMSU Community Foundation (Tower Hamlets)
• Triton Training (Working across London)
• StreetGames (Working across London)

The Business Contribution Award, in association with the City of London Corporation

• UBS (City of London)
• Southwark Stars x Tutti x Clear Channel UK (Southwark)
• Truman Brewery (Tower Hamlets)

Lifetime Achievement Award, in association with BBC Radio London

• · Winner to be announced at the London Sport Awards event in March

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About London Sport

London Sport is a charity working to ensure more Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through being active. Supported by Sport England and the Mayor of London, we collaborate with those that share our vision, running and supporting projects that help children, young people and the least active adults to embed sport and physical activity into their lives.

For more information on London Sport, visit www.londonsport.org

About City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK.

www.cityoflondon.gov

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