At the end of an incredible year for sport in Hackney, the borough’s young sporting heroes were honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The Hackney Sports Awards 2012, now in their seventh year, recognise the achievements of the borough’s sporting talent who have participated at local, county or national levels in various events over the past Year.                                                   

The ceremony, compered by comedian Kat B, was held at Hackney Empire. Guests included London 2012 Olympic gold medalist super heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua and Homerton resident and Olympic 200m semifinalist Margaret Adeoye. BMX and dancing displays kept the audience entertained inbetween the awards.

There were also awards for volunteering, services to sport, inclusion and coach of the year. Some of Hackney’s 1,600 London Youth Games competitors were honoured and 30 Hackney Games Makers were also given an award for their contribution to the Olympic Games.

All individual medalists over the age of 11 were given a year’s free membership to council-run gyms.

Winners included footballer Alfred Mugabo, who has signed a professional contract with Arsenal FC and competed for Rwanda in the Fifa Under 17 World Cup. He was named under 16 Sportsperson of The Year. 

Cyclist Tao Geoghagan Hart was named Under 25 Sportsperson of The Year. He has already represented Great Britain at the European Track Championships, won two national series road races and hopes to compete in the Olympics. 

Tao said: “It’s great to receive an award like this. What inspires me is a drive to do something with my life and improve myself everyday.”

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, said: “This has been a great year for sport, but it’s not just athletes and teams competing on the world stage that have accomplished great things, and the Hackney Sports Awards were about celebrating homegrown talent at all levels.

“From competitive sport at the London Youth Games, to the pupils of all abilities who have striven for improvement during the Hackney Personal Best, we are rightly proud of the wealth of talent and determination that is evident here in the borough.

“These awards also allow us to recognise and thank all of those people who work behind the scenes, supporting and organising sports on a voluntary basis, without whom many of the achievements we celebrated would not be possible.”

The winners were:

• London Youth Games Individual Contribution to the London Youth Games 2012  Harry Myers
• London Youth Games Team Contribution to the London Youth Games 2012 - Hackney Sailing Team
• London Youth Games Challenge award – Stoke Newington School (received £200 in sports equipment vouchers)
• London Youth Games Most Improved London Youth Games Team 2012 - Hackney Boys’ Basketball Team
• Inclusion Award - Jill Danskin (disability sports coach)
• Coach or instructor of the Year - Fe Keown
• Personal Best Winners - Kingsmead Primary School
• New Age Games/Fit 4 Health winners - Maureen McManus, Abdullah Agirbas, Anthony Chin & Brenda Woods
• Sports Club of the Year - ReachOut FC
• Sports Team of the Year under 11 - Clissold Park Mini Red Tennis Team
• Sports Team of the Year under 18 - Cardinal Pole School Weightlifting Team
• Sports Person of the Year under 16 - Runner up Savannah Sills, Winner Alfred Mugabo
• Sports Person of the Year under 25 - Runner up Shaquilla Joseph, Winner Tao Geoghagan Hart
• Voluntary Services to Sport – Kuketena Tunga, Shoreditch Football Club

Youth Sports Fund awards (a grant given to assist athletes or clubs)

Gold Award Individual

• Zahna Hall – table tennis
• Marley Silcott – tennis
• Sharon Jones-Barnes – wheelchair badminton
• Lauryn John-Baptiste – tennis

Silver Award Individual

• Cory Addai – football
• Emma Banks – ice skaing
• Jucha Williers-Moore – rowing
• Minna Griffiths – swimming
• Tayo Edin – football

Bronze Award Individual

• Calvin Kaggunda – tennis
• Mostyn Taylor-Crockett – cycling
• Zenicee Hall - tennis

For more information about the awards and this year’s winners visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/youthsportsawards