Last week, the worlds of grassroots sport, business, politics and community sport gathered to celebrate the finest achievements in grassroots physical activity and sport at the London Sport Awards.
The event showcased the talent, hard work, grit and determination of those who continually go the extra mile in making London the most physically active city in the world.
Black Arrows Badminton Club founder Henry T Gaspard won the 'Volunteer of the Year Award supported by Team London'. Henry has been involved in badminton since 1974 and began volunteering at Leyton Youth Club at the age of 17. In 1984, he founded Black Arrows Badminton Club in Tottenham. Over the past 30 years, Henry has used his passion, knowledge and experience to shape and guide Black Arrows into the club it is today. Each week over 450 participants attend a coached session with the focus on junior badminton development in order to produce the players of the future.
Sport itself is a great way of crossing barriers regardless of colour, gender or religion, and I have found, from my own experiences, sport brings people together. Henry T Gaspard. Founder and chairman. Black Arrows Badminton Club.
Sports presenter David Garrido hosted the evening at the O2 with 450 people attending from the world of sport, politics, tech and business. Supporters included Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Sportplan, Fieldfisher, London & Partners, Team London, Greater London Authority, Sport England and Team GB.
Other award winners include:
- Coach of the Year Award in association with Sportplan - Charlotte Evans
- The Making it Easier Award supported by London & Partners - London United
- The Resources Award supported by Greater London Authority - UBS and SportInspired Partnership
- The Supporting Grassroots Organisations Award supported by Sport England - DataPress
- The Harnessing the Power of Elite Sport Award supported by Team GB - World Series of Boxing – British Lionhearts in the Community
- The Bigger and Better Workforce Award in association with Fieldfisher - London Youth Games – GamesForce Volunteer Programme
- Club of the Year Award sponsored by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority - Double Jab Boxing Club
London Sport
London Sport aims to help make London happier, healthier and stronger through sport. They aim to make London the most physically active city in the world by working in partnership with the numerous organisations involved in physical activity and sport in the capital.