Capital’s community sport successes celebrated in London Sport Awards shortlists

Heroes of grassroots physical activity and sport recognised across eight Award categories

Groups and individuals working to strengthen physical activity and sport in all parts of the nation’s capital have been recognised this evening as the shortlists for the 2019 London Sport Awards are announced.

Revealed during a live broadcast on Eddie Nestor’s BBC Radio London Drivetime show, the 24 shortlisted projects were drawn from an incredible 319 nominations – the most ever received for the London Sport Awards.

Covering the full breadth of grassroots physical activity and sport, this year’s shortlist includes projects delivering physical and mental health benefits, volunteers dedicated to the growth of community sport and initiatives that champion closer social integration across London.

The Awards, which take place at Twickenham Stadium on the evening of 14 March, are the capital’s biggest celebration of grassroots sport.

Over the past three years, the London Sport event has shone a light on the incredible impact of community sport across the capital and, entering its fourth year, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Michelle Weltman, London Sport Awards Judge and Athletes with a Disability Lead, London Marathon said:

"These Awards recognise real grassroots sport: the communities, individuals, organisations and clubs that are doing great things right at the heart of sport in London.

"Every year I’m blown away by the amazing work that these groups are doing all over London, and the incredible things that get people active and involved in sport. 

"This year’s nominations were probably our strongest ever, and I’m delighted we can share the full shortlists today."

Tove Okunniwa, Chief Executive, London Sport said:

"There are lots of Awards that focus on the elite and commercial areas of sport, but the fact that the London Sport Awards showcases to the world the fantastic work going on at a grassroots level is something we take great pride in.

"Our 24 shortlisted nominees represent the real diversity of community physical activity and sport in London. We can’t wait to announce the winners on 14 March!"

The full shortlist for the London Sport Awards 2019 is:

The Physical Activity for Health Award

• GLL – Healthier Together Hackney (Hackney)
• London Fire Brigade Community Safety Health Team – Safe and Well Project (Multi-Borough)
• Single Homeless Project – Sports and Health Project (Multi-Borough)

Highly commended: Boxing Futures; West Ham United Football Club and Foundation

The Technology for Participation Award

• Better Points (Multi-borough)
• Street Tag (Barking)
• Walk With Path (London-wide)

Highly commended: My Local Pitch

The Children and Young People Awards in association with Playinnovation

• Badu Community CIC (Hackney)
• Panathlon Challenge (London-wide)
• The Running Charity (Multi-borough)

Highly commended: James Watson and Fairholme Primary School

Volunteer of the Year in association with Davies Sports

• Franck Batimba – Haringey Hawks (Haringey)
• Nahimul Islam – Founder of Wapping Youth FC (Tower Hamlets)
• Simon Lloyd – Everyone Active (Westminster)

Highly commended: Pat Aiyenuro

The Sport Unites Award in association with the Mayor of London

• Salaam Peace (Waltham Forest)
• The St Matthew’s Project (Lambeth)
• UK Wallball (Multi-borough)

Highly commended: Core Sports; Our Parks

The Harnessing the Power of Elite Sport Award

• BIGKID Foundation (Barking and Dagenham)
• Palace for Life Foundation – PlayMakers (Croydon)
• Saracens Sport Foundation (Barnet)

The Workforce Award in association with Lumina Energy

• Disability Sports Coach (London-wide)
• London Youth- Active Leads (London-wide)
• Newham Volunteer Team (Newham)

Club of the Year

• Hornbeam Joy Riders (Waltham Forest)
• Kew Park Rangers – Football for All (Richmond upon Thames)
• Uxbridge Amblers (Hillingdon)

Highly commended: Badu Community; Disability Sports Coach