Published: Monday 18 November 2019
18 November 2019
Nine local sporting heroes and hard-working organisations were recognised at a community ceremony at Kensington Town Hall on Friday 15 November.
Twenty-seven people or organisations were nominated for awards in the nine categories, including sports personality, the young sportsperson’s award and the sports organisation award. The nominations were put forward by sporting organisations and partners around the borough.
International Rugby player Alex Goode appeared as a special guest at the ceremony. He said:
“It was an honour to be invited to present the RBKC Sports Awards. The commitment, selflessness and drive from so many volunteers to help and provide sports to so many people is incredible. I was blown away by how amazing the people involved are and the awesome achievements of so many.”
Ullash Karia – Head of Leisure & Parks also endorsed the first ever RBKC sports awards as a major success.
“The evening was not only a celebration and dedication for the amazing work our nominees and winners do on a regular basis, day in and day out. But, it also highlights the major contribution and power sport makes in enriching the quality of lives of our residents and communities at a time when it is much needed. We have had some marvellous feedback already.”
The event was also sponsored by GLL, idverde and Suez.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
Young Sports Person’s Award
Edward Whittles – Chelsea and Westminster Swimming Club
Edward is the 2019 regional champion winning six gold medals. He has shown incredible dedication, training 14 hours per week and racing up to 15 times on race days. He is self-disciplined and acts as a role model to others at the club.
Disability Sports Person Award
Michael Lewington –Disability Sports Coach Community Club at Kensington Leisure Centre.
The community clubs are pan-disability multi sports clubs open to all ages which provide life changing opportunities for disabled people to enjoy sports.
Michael has been a passionate and committed attendee since November 2015 winning a personal best award for improvements in accuracy, stamina, coordination, balance and agility this year. He supports his colleagues and has volunteered at events.
Community Partner Award
Matthew Trytell – Everyone Active Tennis
Matthew and his team deliver tennis sessions to 2750 children across nine local primary schools, introducing tennis to many children for the first time.
Matthew also manages a highly successful tennis programme for children with autism, called Aceing Autism. This programme delivers tennis to 90 children a year and won the Middlesex Tennis Disability award for this programme.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Maisa Mendes – multi- sports session
Maisa has been volunteering at the session week in week out and continues to improve and inspire the lives of many disabled people engaging with them within the session. . She leads her own boccia sessions engaging users and carers alike with a wide variety of disability needs. Maisa has her own disability needs and can overcome difficulties to attend the session. She volunteers at these sessions finding time around her own busy community sport schedule.
Community Engagement Project Award
London Futures West, which is run by the Change Foundation.
London Futures West supports young people and people with disabilities to learn new skills, develop confidence and self-esteem and recognise career opportunities through sport and physical activity.
Power of Sport Award
Leanne Pero – The Movement Factory
Leanne is a multi-award-winning community dance and fitness entrepreneur who founded her company the Movement Factory at the age of 15. Through this vision Leanne has raised over £250k to run subsidised community Dance and fitness Programmes. Leanne works tirelessly to train up instructors as community engagement specialist so they can make their sessions inclusive to everyone. Leanne has combined her love of dance, fitness and mental well-being and setup her own foundation aimed at aiding cancer patients in the community.
Sports Organisation of the Year Award
Knightsbridge Fencing Club
This thriving club is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year offering fencing for everyone from as young as 4 years old. The club has produced multiple British and English Youth Champions and even a cadet world silver medallist. Their specialist training methods are helpful for children with hypermobility and similar development conditions. The club offers scholarships to those pupils who work hard but may not be able to afford regular lessons and has worked on a project to promote and encourage Muslim girls to try out fencing.
Sports Personality Award
Molly Thompson Smith – Climbing
Molly often climbs 7 days a week to improve her skills. She shows a real dedication to the sport and has a natural talent. She was crowned Junior British Bouldering Champion and now at the age of 21 she is currently ranked 19th in the world and has set her sights on Olympic Gold in Tokyo 2020.
Outstanding Contribution Award
Open Age
Open Age provides weekly activities for the over 50s with 65 weekly activities from Zumba to table tennis to help older people live healthier, happier lives and reduce loneliness. They offer targeted exercise to help people at risk of falling and have attracted more than 500 residents a year to their programme delivering at 20 venues around the borough. They work with organisations such as London Sport and English National Ballet.