Nominate your grassroots sport and physical activity heroes in the London Sport Awards 2021

Search is on for the heroes within London’s physical activity and sport sector.

It’s time to say thank you to London’s heroes from the grassroots physical activity and sport sector as the London Sport Awards returns to recognise and celebrate the efforts of volunteers, physical activity providers and sports organisations.

Londoners are being encouraged to nominate those who’ve made their mark for the London Sport Awards 2021 – the biggest celebration of grassroots physical activity and sport in the capital – from today (Thursday 10 June).

The London Sport Awards will be supported, for the second year running, by the City of London Corporation with an in-person ceremony set to take place at the stunning Guildhall on Monday 6 December, subject to the easing of covid-19 restrictions on social gatherings.

The Awards recognises and celebrates the individuals and organisations that have continued to make their mark and champion the power of sport and physical activity in improving the lives of Londoners during what has been an incredibly challenging 18 months for the sector. 

The sixth London Sport Awards, which remains free to enter, will have ten categories to reflect the breadth of activity in the capital:

• The Business Contribution Award in association with the City of London Corporation
• The Enhancing the Workforce Award in association with Chipotle
• The Community Impact Award
• Volunteer of the Year
• The Young Londoners Award
• The Health & Wellbeing Award
• The Tech and Digital Award
• The Elite Sport in the Community Award
• The Uniting London Award
• Inspirational Young Person of the Year

Tove Okunniwa, London Sport CEO, said:

"The last 18 months have been unlike anything London has experience in recent history but the physical activity and sport sector has stepped up and produced remarkable support for all Londoners.

“It’s been inspirational to see how physical activity and sport has helped so many people in the capital over the last 18 months, not just with their physical health but their mental and social wellbeing too.

“The London Sport Awards is always a highlight of the year and I’m pleased that City of London Corporation are continuing their support of the event and hosting us at the magnificent Guildhall.

"I know the 2021 edition will be particularly special as we say thank you and well done to the individuals and organisations who have made their mark and kept London moving throughout the pandemic.”

Lord Mayor of the City of London, William Russell, said:

"I’m really looking forward to welcoming the London Sport Awards back to Guildhall, giving us a chance to recognise the efforts of the people and organisations across the capital who work tirelessly to get Londoners involved in sport and to create a more active and healthier London.

"The role of businesses in providing sponsorship, support and resources for sport has been really inspiring to see, and has been more important than ever during the pandemic, when many of us have developed a new-found appreciation for the simple pleasures of getting outdoors and getting active.

“I would encourage Londoners to take a few minutes to nominate the often unsung heroes who go the extra mile and play such an important role in promoting grassroots sport.”

The nominations window will be open for five weeks, closing on Thursday 15 July.

Last year’s Awards saw UBS clinch the Business Contribution Award for their work in Hackney while Barking & Dagenham’s Vanessa Nsilu was named Inspirational Young Person of the Year and Lambeth-based Carers4Carers picked up The Community Impact Award.

Newham’s Nafisa Patel collected Volunteer of the Year with West Ham United (The Impact of Elite Sport Award) also being recognised and there was silverware for Step Change Studios (The Physical Activity for Health Award) in Westminster too.

For 2021, Patel is part of the Awards’ illustrious judging panel of industry experts from London’s community, sport and business sectors who will decide the shortlisted nominees and winners later in the summer, with the shortlist to be announced in October.

Speaking on becoming a London Sport Awards judge, Nafisa Patel said:

“I'm really looking forward to finding out about the incredible people, organisations and projects that are using sport to bring about positive change, connection and a sense of community across the city.

“It feels particularly special this year to acknowledge this success, considering the challenges posed due to the pandemic over the last 18 months.”

A range of nominations guidance and full details on how and where to submit nominations are available here or by contacting awards@londonsport.org.