Hackney scores big at Youth Sports Awards
200 people cheered on local sports men and women as they were honoured with a range of prizes at this year’s Hackney Youth Sports Awards, which took place on 17 December at Hackney Town Hall, celebrating the sporting achievements of local coaches, teams, children and volunteers.
The audience also enjoyed a Q&A session with special guest Iain Percy OBE, one of Britain’s most successful sailors of recent times - a triple Olympic medallist, with an impressive further seven wins in a range of world sailing championships.
There were a range of awards given on the night including the Sports Club of the Year Award, which was awarded jointly to Hackney Judo Club, and Hackney Aquatics Club, who provide courses to help young people build confidence both in and out of the water.
Evelyn Dumbleton, who has been competing in athletics for 10 years, won the London Youth Games Individual Contribution Award.
Ian Bruce, who is head coach and chairman of AFC Stoke Newington, won Coach of the Year. Ian, who gives up his time to coach football for free and is dedicated to developing young girls through football, said: “Being recognised as Hackney’s Coach of the Year is a huge honour. Having grown up in the borough and being a proud resident makes winning the award extra special. Due to Hackney’s sporting excellence the field was really strong so I’m delighted to have won.”
This was the 14th annual Hackney Youth Sports Awards, set up to support talented young athletes to achieve their sporting potential through the Youth Sport Fund. Fifteen young people were recognised through the Youth Sports Fund Awards. There was also recognition of the London Youth Games medallists, over the age of 11, who received a year’s free Better membership to access Hackney Leisure Centres across the borough.
Other award winners included: the Hackney Indoor Rowing Team, who won the London Youth Games Team Contribution Award; and Brenda Bridges and Archibald Burrell, who won with Fit4Health. The Under 16 Sports Person of the Year award was picked up by Thomas Archer for Athletics, and diver Noah Williams was awarded with the Under 25 Sports Person of the Year.
I would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees for their hard work, efforts and determination. I would also like to give a massive thank you to the coaches and volunteers for their incredible work behind the scenes. This event is a wonderful celebration of local sporting talent and everyone involved should be exceptionally proud of themselves for their well deserved recognition. We are proud to celebrate the excellent sporting calibre in our borough and we look forward to next year’s Youth Sports Awards!
