Sports Gives Back Awards Celebrate the Power of Sport
At Calacus, we focus on the power of sport to make a positive impact on communities, whether they are global, national or regional.
There are so many unsung heroes who undertake tireless work supporting communities through sport, building confidence, fitness, focus and teamwork.
The recent Sport Gives Back Awards, held at Cadogan Hall in London, celebrated some of this work, rewarding a number of grassroots leaders whose impact deserves recognition.
Sport Gives Back is the brainchild of former international triple jumper Connie Henry, who won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998.
She has dedicated her life to helping others, and underlined why sport as a force for good is so important.
“Sport changed my life as a teenager. It gave me the stability I didn’t have at home, plus the social mobility I wouldn’t otherwise have had.
“When I retired from athletics, I set up Track Academy, a charity which supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Brent, one of the most deprived boroughs in the country. Over the last decade, we have helped hundreds of students to succeed both on and off the track.
“I realised that there was no platform where charities and organisations like ours could shout about the amazing work we do through sport. As a result, I decided to set up Sport Gives Back to celebrate those who use sport for social change.
“I truly believe in the power of sport to change all lives. After this evening, it is my greatest desire that Sport Gives Back becomes a movement, and not just a moment in time.
“If sport activity is a part of your life, then know you are part of something bigger. What this shows us is that we need to be as proud of those small wins as we are of the open top bus parades.
“Quite frankly, you cannot have one without the other. Sport takes you from inability to ability. From fear to fight. From lack of self to leadership.”
As Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, paid tribute to the Foundation’s community liaison Manager Josh Boggi, who was chosen as winner of the Unconquered award.
Josh lost both legs and his right arm while serving in Afghanistan and went on to develop a love of cycling during his recovery. He now works with other international wounded and sick service personnel to give them similar opportunities and aid their recovery.
The Duke said: “Josh, you are a truly remarkable human. There is no-one in the world who deserves this more; you are the personification of resilience.” Olympian triple jumper, and trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation, Jonathan Edwards presented Josh with his award on stage in London.
Former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio and his charity RugbyWorks chose Dan Ley as the winner of its Transforming Lives: Empowering Excluded Youth award. Having been expelled from school on numerous occasions as a teenager, he turned his life around and now mentors young people in south Wales through the medium of rugby.
The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s Community Partnership Impact Award went to Team Sheffield. This group of athlete mentors works alongside Westfield Health and 12 schools to work with young people facing personal challenges, helping them achieve their aspirations.
Greenhouse Sports honoured Sarah Bonnell School in east London with its Team for Life Award. Located in one of the most deprived areas of the capital, the school has worked with the charity on a tennis programme since the pandemic, presented by Paralympian gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and international netball star Ama Agbeze.
The Lord’s Taverners’ Inspire Award went to Connor Hyde, who has overcome his own challenges with cerebral palsy and epilepsy to work with the charity’s Somerset Super 1s disability cricket project. He now runs some of the sessions, coaches at his local cricket club, and is a personal trainer and was presented with his Award by England cricketer Chris Woakes.
Sported honoured Joe Donnelly with its Community Sport Social Impact Award. Based in Northern Ireland, Joe set up a mental health charity in memory of a friend he lost to suicide. Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues uses sport as a conduit to make mental health fun and engaging via sessions with clubs, schools and youth groups. Joe’s award was presented by football legend Frank Lampard and his wife, TV presenter Christine.
SportWorks’ Community Group of the Year award went to The Elfrida Society in Islington, north London. The group, which has been at the heart of its community for over 100 years, has a long history of supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. Its sporting activities include tennis, studio fitness and football. The award was presented by TV sports presenters Ed Chamberlin and Jill Douglas.
Youth Sport Trust selected Jill Newbolt from Sheffield to win its Building Brighter Futures award. Jill has dedicated her career to breaking down the barriers that society places on children with disabilities in sports and physical education, particularly those with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Olympians Sir Mo Farah and Fatima Whitbread presented Jill with her award.
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